In the end, it just wasn’t meant to be for the Philippines, as the Filipinas bowed out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Norway.
After the sensational victory against hosts New Zealand, there was a sense of cautious optimism that the Philippines may yet make more history with a result against much higher seeded Norway to ensure progression to the knockout rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Auckland’s Eden Park was the site of many a historic New Zealand All Blacks performance, and the Filipinas had hoped to make their own history here in this hallowed ground.
Coach Alen Stajcic made a positive change to the starting eleven, with forward Bella Flanigan making her first start of the tournament in lieu of defender Sofia Harrison, who was apparently recovering from a minor knock.
Despite being thousands of miles away, the game started with an atmosphere not unlike Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila, with majority of the 34,000 fans in attendance rising to cheer the Filipinas when they entered the field.
And the Filipinas would take inspiration from the boisterous Filipino crowd, as they started strongly, with Katrina Guillou dispossessing a Norwegian defender in the first minute and earning the Philippines a very early free kick to the delight of the crowd.
But Norway, needing a victory to keep their own hopes alive, responded like a wounded tiger and hit the Philippines with an eighth minute goal that would leave the Philippines reeling.
Norway had not scored in their first two group stage matches, but they made up for lost time in a hurry as they hit two more goals in the first half, ensuring that the contest – and the result – was essentially over by halftime.
The Philippines were simply too slow and were unable to cope with a ruthlessly efficient Norway team, who despite missing star player Ada Hegerberg were simply the better team on the day.
Crucially, the Filipinas were not able to deal with the crosses from Norway’s world class wingers Guro Reiten and Caroline Graham Hansen, who to no one’s surprise, delivered world class crosses to the box with alarming accuracy.
Perhaps it was fatigue, perhaps it was due to a bit of pressure, but the Filipinas seemed sluggish and were not able to keep the defensive shape, which led to gaps continually opening up for Norway.
It would go from bad to worse, as the Filipinas would concede a penalty and then reduced to ten players on the field later in the game, ensuring Norway a safe passage through to the next round.
Despite this huge defeat, the Filipinos in attendance would not waver in their support as they stayed on to give encouragement, and perhaps consolation, to their heroines on the field.
And so, after this amazing World Cup run, where next for the Philippine Women’s team?
The core of the team is still young, and with the success of the team and the awareness it has generated, it is hoped that the younger generation has been inspired to continue the pipeline for future success.
But first, there are things that need to be addressed, with Hali Long saying after the match that ‘there are gaps that need to be filled’ in the youth pipeline, with the current model of the senior team leading the way truthfully unsustainable.
With Coach Alen Stajcic non-committal as to his participation to the next Philippines’ tournament, and with a PFF Presidential election later in the year, there is also that element of uncertainty.
But for the moment, it is a time to reflect on what has been achieved.
Stajcic describes the Philippines’ exploits in the World Cup as ‘almost miraculous’ – and he may not be too far off the mark.
“Countries have gone to many World Cups without getting a win, and for the Philippines to achieve that in the first appearance is nothing short of miraculous”, said Stajcic.
The onus now is for the Philippines to replicate this achievement by continually getting to this world stage, and not let this be a one off.
We are happy and grateful for today and the achievements so far, but to truly say that Philippines football belongs to the world’s highest stage, it has to be a continuing effort and not be a one off.
Only until then can we truly say that Philippines football has well and truly arrived.
