![Sarina Bolden exults after scoring the winning header against New Zealand. Joining her in the celebration is teammate Sofia Harrision. [contributed photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/boldenheaderpix-400x200.jpg)
In front of a stunned packed crowd 32,357 of mostly hometown fans at the Sky Stadium, the Filipinas pulled the rugged from the under the fancied Ferns, 1-0, on Tuesday, July 25.
![Filipinas PH national team [contributed photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FILIPINAS1-400x200.jpg)
Tuning out the hometown crowd and being totally focused on their foes are what Australian coach Alan Stajcic and striker Katrina Guillou said they require for the Filipinas to prevail over the Ferns in their pivotal FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A match at the Sky Stadium.
![Katrina Guillou (right) stalks a Swiss player. [contributed photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/guilloupix-400x200.jpg)
Despite a 0-2 loss to Switzerland in their history-making first match in the Group A of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Dunedin on Friday, July 21, the Filipinas stayed upbeat and are looking forward to their virtually must-win match against host New Zealand on Tuesday, July 25, in Wellington.
Switzerland capitalized on the Philippines’ critical defensive lapses in each half to fashion a well-earned 2-0 triumph on Friday, July 21, in the first match in Group between the two sides in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
![Miriam Merlin, former PH player [contributed photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/yamipix2-scaled-e1689906827277-400x200.jpg)
For the love of the beautiful game and spending on her own, former national player, Miriam Merlin, endured a taxing 23-hour plane journey just to show her support for the Filipinas making their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup here.
![Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic (right) is greeted as the national women's football team arrives at the Dunedin International Airport on the even of their first FIFA Women's World Cup Group A match against Switzerland. [contributed photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/filipinasindunedin-400x200.jpg)
The Filipinas will make their highly-awaited debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Friday, July 21, opening their campaign in Group A against Switzerland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium under expected nippy weather in Dunedin.
History is about to unfold as the Philippine Women’s National Football Team make their much-awaited debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Cignal TV is all set to deliver the action via its newest sports app Pilipinas Live which launched last June.
The support keeps on pouring for the FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound Filipinas. Long-time Philippine women’s football national team goalkeeper Inna Palacios has partnered with digital payments leader Visa in a marketing move that is also seen to empower women’s sports and football in the country.
The Filipinas will face Chile next as their preparation for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup continues.
As the dust cleared and the Filipinas now know who they will be up against in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 next year, players are even “more motivated” in a group in which they believe the campaign is “doable”.
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