Philippines faced USA in exhibition prior to Women's World Cup | Inquirer Sports

Philippines faced USA in exhibition prior to Women’s World Cup

/ 12:43 PM July 23, 2023

Philippines Fifa Women's World Cup

FILE – The Philippines’ forward #07 Sarina Bolden (C) dribbles during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match between the Philippines and Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on July 21, 2023. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—A report by a top American sports media outlet revealed that the Philippines took on the vaunted United States squad in a closed-door match before the Fifa Women’s World Cup took place.

ESPN’s Caitlin Murray made a mention of that scrimmage in her article following the Americans’ 3-0 victory over Vietnam that kicked off their bid for a third straight World Cup at Eden Park here.

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In the article, the exhibition was referred to as the reason why United States coach Vlatko Andonovski put midfielder Savannah DeMelo in the starting 11.

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“Andonovski suggested the choice was based on her recent form, including a closed-door scrimmage against the Philippines here in New Zealand,” Murray wrote in her story.

Sophia Smith USA Fifa Women's World Cup

USA’s forward #11 Sophia Smith celebrates scoring her team’s second goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group E football match between the United States and Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland on July 22, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Officials from the team have not confirmed about the said match which turned out to be one of two pre-World Cup test games for the Filipinas here.

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The article didn’t mention when the match was held but the Filipinas arrived here last July 10 and played Sweden in a friendly exactly a week later.

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The Filipinas were handed a 5-1 loss by Sweden in the said exhibition, also held under a closed-door environment, in this city.

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The Americans won behind two goals and an assist from Sophia Smith, who made her World Cup debut.

But the match also saw a moment to remember from Vietnam even in defeat as goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh saved Alex Morgan’s penalty late in the first half.

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TAGS: Fifa Women’s World Cup, Filipinas

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