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