Philippines fans cheer at the stands prior the Women’s World Cup Group A soccer match between Norway and Philippines at Eden Park stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
AUCKLAND, New Zealand—It appears that the Philippines will have a virtual home game for its crunch Group A match against Norway for a possible spot in the round-of-16 of the Fifa Women’s World Cup on Sunday here.
Eden Park, which seats around 50,000, will likely not be a sellout once kickoff commences but there was a heavy presence of Filipino supporters who came hours before the gates opened, mostly wearing jerseys and shirts.
Some fans even went for a mad dash toward Fifa stores inside the venue in hopes of scoring Philippine-related items like shirts, scarves and magnets.
Festive atmosphere as Filipino fans based here in Auckland and back home march around Eden Park before the crunch Group A match between the Philippines and Norway. #FIFAWWC @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nFLABKGvoG
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) July 30, 2023
The Filipino community in this also organized a march around Eden Park, some wearing Ifugao costumes and carrying banners like “Laban Filipinas,” “Alab ng Puso” and “Bolden is Golden.”
Some members of Ultra Filipinas, the rabid group of supporters usually seen at home games in Manila, were also part of the march, as was Philippine Sports Commission chairman Dickie Bachmann.
Fans screamed in unison after the big screen showed coach Alen Stajcic and the list of the Philippines’ starting 11.
Filipino fans make a mad dash at the FIFA Store as the gates of Eden Park open #FIFAWWC @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ntqsPWp3vZ
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) July 30, 2023
The Filipinas must win or get a draw plus a New Zealand loss to Switzerland to secure qualification to the knockout stage of the biggest stage for women’s football.
Anything other than the said results will mean the end of the dream run for the Filipinas.