July 25, 2023, 7:31 AM
July 25, 2023, 7:31 AM
Led by an inspired Linda Caicedo, Colombia opened its participation in the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 win against South Korea, while hosts New Zealand suffered a shock defeat to the Philippines, who defeated them 1-0.
In the third game of the day, Switzerland and Norway drew 0-0. a worrying result for the Nordics, who arrived with a poster of contenders for the title and now drag a defeat and a draw.
The first meeting of the date was the dream debut of Colombia, which became an important step to advance to the second round of Group H, which also includes Germany and Morocco.
The youthful Caicedo was the player of the match, and her performance earned praise from Colombia assistant coach Angelo Marsiglia, who called her “from another planet.”
Veteran Catalina Usme scored at minute 30 from a penalty and the second goal fell eight later, after an incursion by Caicedo down the left wing that culminated in a shot from outside the area. The ball slipped through the hands of South Korean goalkeeper Yoon Younggeul.
In the debut of both teams in this World Cup that takes place in Australia and New Zealand, the Sydney Football Stadium it was filled with Colombian fans with colorful costumes that did not stop rooting for the “Powerpuff Girls”.
The Koreans had their best moments early in the match, when they put goalkeeper Catalina Pérez’s gloves to the test, but Colombia took over the actions from minute 20 on.
But the attention was on Caicedo, the great figure of Colombian soccer who at the age of 18 signed for Real Madrid.
His quick forays down the left flank caused numerous faults from the South Korean defense to curb his ability on the ball.
“Linda is an extraordinary player, She has an incredible level of maturity and we can see that she is one of the leaders on the field: she asks for the ball, she always pushes more. She is from another planet, a unique player,” Marsiglia stated.
In the second half, the South Koreans fought hard to shorten the score, but it was the Colombians who managed to maintain control of the game and, even, have the best chances of expanding the score.
“In such a short tournament it is important to win the first game”, highlighted Marsiglia, who was on the bench in place of suspended coach Nelson Abadía.
Marsiglia was confident that his players “they will be able to shine” when they face Germany next Sunday, one of the teams called to lift the cup and debuted in the tournament by beating Morocco 6-0.
In the 78th minute, the South Korean Casey Yu-Jin Phair entered the game, who at 16 years and 26 days old, became the youngest player to perform in a Women’s World Cup, according to the FIFA website.
– Chime from the Philippines –
In the second meeting of the date, Philippines upset New Zealandone of the hosts of the tournament, which had caused a surprise by defeating Norway in the opening match.
Sarina Bolden scored the goal for the Philippines in the first half before more than 32,000 spectators in the New Zealand capital of Wellington.
“It has to be one of the greatest achievements (sports) in the country’s history,” said Philippine coach Australian Alen Stajcic.
New Zealand players they were in tears after the defeat, said her coach, Jitka Klimkova.
For his part, Norway saw their hopes of advancing to the second round dwindled of the World Cup with their goalless draw against Switzerland, at the end of the day.
The Nordic team was left without its star, Ada Hegerberg, who appeared in the starting lineup but was substituted before the start of the match due to a last-minute ailment, the Norwegian Football Association explained.
the norwegian set he looked uninspired in the match and continues without scoring in two games in the World Cup.
Switzerland, on the other hand, remains in first place in Group A with four points thanks to their win against the Philippines and Tuesday’s draw. They are followed by New Zealand and the Philippines with three points and Norway in the basement with one unit.
