Tottenham Women stars one step closer to learning fate in World Cup Group A
Both Switzerland and New Zealand, who have representatives from the Tottenham Women’s team, were in action at the Women’s World Cup on 25 July.
The Philippines became the first debutants to win at the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Ria Percival’s New Zealand, while Luana Buhler’s Switzerland were held to a goalless draw by Norway, although the Spurs defender was not in the matchday squad.
The results now leave Group A poised on a knife’s edge with Switzerland top on four points, New Zealand and the Philippines second and third on three points each – the co-hosts just above on goal difference – while Norway sit bottom on one point.
It means that any of the four teams can still qualify for the knock-out stages however former winners Norway will need to beat the Philippines to have any chance of qualification after failing to score down under during their two games so far.
New Zealand’s loss has blown the group wide open, a win against the Philippines would have seen them qualify for the knockout stages for the first time with one match to spare and they will now need to get a result against Switzerland, who are yet to concede at the competition, to ensure qualification.
A loss against their European rivals would mean one of Norway or the Philippines would leapfrog them into second place, no matter the result.
This is a frustrating blow for the Kiwis who had their fate in their own hands, 20 places separate themselves and the Philippines in the FIFA Women’s World rankings and they therefore would have been confident of victory.
Percival once again started and captained her nation, completing 84 minutes in midfield. The 33-year-old had a busy match, touching the ball 60 times, completing 33 out of her 42 passes, winning four of her six ground duels, making one block, one interception and three tackles (Sofascore).
In the end, her efforts were not enough and the Philippines were able to hold on after scoring through a Sarina Bolden header in the 24th minute to claim their first-ever Women’s World Cup victory.
New Zealand did have the ball in the back of the net during the second half, but Jacqui Hand, who had earlier hit the post, saw her goal ruled out by VAR for offside.
The final day of group A now promises to be a tense affair when Percival’s New Zealand take on Buhler’s Switzerland while Norway and the Phillippines go head to head, with both matches taking place simultaneously on Sunday 30 July.
In other Tottenham news, Daniel Levy has been issued with an ultimatum by owner Joe Lewis over Harry Kane’s future.