Switzerland and Norway seals next round spot as New Zealand misses out on history on home soil but The Philippines will have no complains, even after their tournament ends with a debacle.
Switzerland and Norway have both qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 from Group A as winners and runner up respectively while New Zealand exit the tournament.
The Swiss, who kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over the Phillipines were able to add two more with draws against both Norway and host, New Zealand.
Norway, despite their shocking loss to New Zealand in the tournament’s curtain raiser and failure to beat Switzerland in their second game, needed a win of distant margin to be assured of progression if result in the other game didn’t go their way.
They set out with intent against The Phillipines and scored three goals in the opening 30 minutes thanks to a brace from hat-trick hero, Sophie Roman Haug and one more from Barcelona’s Caroline Hansen.
Three more goals after the break with Alicia Barker putting through her own net to get things started less than three minutes after the restart.
Guro Reiten scored from the spot and the Asian were later reduced to ten women, as Sophia Harrison gets sent off after a VAR review for a stamp on Thea Bjelde.
There was time for Sophie Haug to complete her hat-trick deep into added time as the 1995 winners secure second spot on goal difference ahead of a pained New Zealand.
Switzerland awaits the runner up in Group C, which will either be Japan or Spain while Norway will battle the winner of the same group, one of the aforementioned two.
New Zealand achieved their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup win on home soil but agonizingly miss out on their first ever knockout round ticket while for the Phillipines, they will forever relish the moment Sarina Bolden heads home to score their first ever goal and earn their first ever win in the tournament history.
It’s been an exciting outing ever for those who exit from the group as at some point, they have enjoyed a special feeling, that can only be accomplished by being a part of something great.
Kehinde Hassan
