SANKA VIDANAGAMA/ AFP
New Zealand and Switzerland performed out an underwhelming 0-0 stalemate within the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, sending the co-hosts out of the event on objective distinction and the Europeans by way of to the final 16 as Group A winners.
Norway’s 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines within the different group recreation in Auckland put them stage on 4 factors with New Zealand however second on objective distinction.
The outcomes meant New Zealand, who surprised Norway of their opening match earlier than shedding to the Philippines of their second, turned the primary Women’s World Cup hosts to exit within the group stage.
Roared on by a near-capacity crowd of 25,947 on the indoor Dunedin Stadium, New Zealand lacked nothing in effort however couldn’t discover the objective they wanted to progress, with a number of gamers in tears on the remaining whistle.
“I can’t ask any more of the players. There’s a lot of tears out there but they should be so proud,” New Zealand co-captain Ali Riley stated. “We fought actually laborious…there’s such disappointment however I need everybody to be pleased with what we have achieved.
Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat-trick as Norway put a turbulent two weeks behind them and squeaked into the knockout levels on objective distinction with a 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines at Eden Park.
Winger Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten additionally scored to assist the 1995 champions end in second place in Group A, with their first win of the event.
The Philippines, who completed backside of the group regardless of their first World Cup win over New Zealand, ended the match with ten gamers after defender Sofia Harrison was proven a purple card within the 67th minute for a foul on Thea Bjelde.
“We felt it was us against the world today and we performed from the very start, delivering when we really had to,” stated Norway coach Hege Riise. “This was the best response we could have given the Norwegian people and ourselves.”
