It's like watching jack Charlton's Ireland Some of those girls have only been picked because they spent time in the airport in manila
to be honest it was an awful game to watch FIFA Women's World Cup: Football Ferns have goal ruled out, hit post in loss to Philippines Andrew Voerman22:17, Jul 25 2023 Football Ferns had an equaliser ruled out by the video assistant referee with just over 20 minutes to play as they were beaten 1-0 by the Philippines at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Watch all 64 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ matches on Sky or stream on Sky Sport Now. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff Grace Jale almost became the Kiwi hero in stoppage time, volleying a shot which forced Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel to make a fine save to keep her side in the lead and secure their first win at their first World Cup. More from Stuff: * 'I will miss you every single day': Chelsea and England star Ben Chilwell mourns Kiwi dad * Former All Whites goalkeeper Michael Utting faces fresh allegations * New Zealand under-20 midfielder Fin Conchie stood down for homophobic comment please log in to view this image SKY SPORT The graphic of the Hannah Wilkinson VAR offside decision, as shown on Sky Sport, Stuff and Prime. Wilkinson’s right shoulder is judged to have put her offside under the semi-automated offside system. Hannah Wilkinson’s right shoulder was judged to have put her offside under the semi-automated offside system, before she did well to keep the ball in at the byline and cross for Jacqui Hand to head home in the 69th minute. Hand had hit the left post just moments before, in a match where the Ferns were dominant, but ultimately suffered defeat, after failing to deal with a free kick midway through the first half at Wellington Regional Stadium. The initial ball in by Angie Beard was met by Katie Bowen, but wasn’t cleared far enough, and when it came back from the right, Sarina Bolden rose between CJ Bott and Rebekah Stott to score the Philippines’ first World Cup goal after 24 minutes. please log in to view this image CATHERINE IVILL/GETTY IMAGES Sarina Bolden of Philippines scores against the Football Ferns at Wellington Regional Stadium. Tuesday night’s result in front of a crowd of 32,357 fans in the capital was a comedown after last Thursday’s upset of Norway in Auckland, but the Ferns remain a chance to advance from group A, after their rivals Switzerland and Norway drew 0-0 in Hamilton later in the evening. A win against the Swiss will guarantee qualification for the second round; a draw would leave them with a chance depending on the result of the other match, a loss and they will be out. The Ferns began on the front foot in Wellington, with a cross from Betsy Hassett on the left in the second minute just passing in front of her onrushing fellow midfielder Ria Percival. It was all New Zealand in the opening 10 minutes, but their best chance was spurned when a cutback from Bott bounced awkwardly for Wilkinson, whose shot was well off target. There was a sign of what was to come when Indiah-Paige Riley gave away a free kick just inside her own half that caused a bit of chaos when it was launched into the area. MORE FROM ANDREW VOERMAN • SPORTS REPORTER [email protected] The Ferns weren’t getting their timing right in midfield, though the Philippines were not good enough to capitalise as much as they perhaps might have. Where they could benefit was when that mistiming led to fouls, such as the pair given away by Percival in quick succession midway through the first half – the second of which led to their goal. Bowen dealt with the initial delivery from Beard, but the ball only went out to the right of the area, where Sara Eggesvik picked it up, shrugged off a challenge from Hassett and sent in a cross, which Bolden met between Bott and Stott, the centre back ending up on the ground. Ferns goalkeeper Vic Esson got plenty of hand on the headed effort, but couldn’t keep it out, and so for the first time in this World Cup, New Zealand were chasing a game. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff Marginal call denies Football Ferns Play Video SKY SPORT They were straight back into their work, remaining in charge of possession, but not for the first time, they were struggling to fashion much in the way of end product, with a cross from Ali Riley which just eluded Wilkinson their best chance before halftime. Midfielders Olivia Chance and Annalie Longo replaced Hassett and Indiah-Paige Riley as the second half began with the Ferns back down the Philippines’ end, searching for an equaliser. They won a succession of corners, but when one was played short to Bott to swing in a left-footed cross, the header from Wilkinson that met it went just over the bar. Fullback then tried to play striker in down the right soon after, but Philippines goalkeeper McDaniel was alert to come off her line and quash the danger. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Explore the Hub please log in to view this image There was evident frustration from the Ferns at their failure to turn their individual superiority into goals, with a late challenge from Chance on McDaniel the worst of the niggle. The Ferns had their best chance of the night in the 64th minute, when Malia Steinmetz released Chance down the left. She then curled a beautiful ball to meet Hand’s run on the right, but her shot was just to the left of where it needed to be, hitting the post and bouncing back to McDaniel. Hand made no mistake the next time the ball came her way, after Wilkinson did well to keep the ball in on the byline then cross to the middle of the six-yard box, but the celebrations were short-lived as the video assistant referee found Wilkinson to have been offside in the buildup, her shoulder breaking the plane generated by the semi-automated system. The Ferns continued to push, leaving themselves increasingly exposed at the back, but after substitute Jale’s effort was pushed away, they now have no choice but to pick themselves up and dust themselves off before a big match three.
Ferns certainly didn't play to the standard they did in the first game. Quite predictable in their attack but still should have capitalised on their chances. Group is wide open now - perhaps a draw against the Swiss will be enough?
Aussies girls next up. Our two best strikers are out, one who happens to be the best female football player in the world, Sammy Kerr, will be severely missed but tough titties, that's life. We're playing Nigeria, who will no doubt, attempt a few Siberian sidekicks to the head of our girls. Go the, Matildas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kerr has a calf injury but the extent is not being disclosed. Hope is she will play against Canada but some rumours she won't play at all as it's worse than first thought.
