Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group A - New Zealand v Philippines - Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand - July 25, 2023 Philippines' Sarina Bolden celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
The World Cup debutants lost their opener against Switzerland and faced long odds against a New Zealand side ranked 20 rungs above them, playing in front of a packed house of loyal home fans in Wellington. New Zealand's hopes of at least drawing the match following Jacqui Hand's header in the 68th minute were dashed after the goal was ruled out for offside and their frantic stoppage-time efforts yielded no success.
"To think that we've done it in our second match in our first World Cup... the unity and work rate and heart from the team was special. We had some luck but we also earned our luck."