On goal difference after routing Philippines, 6-0
AUCKLAND — Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat-trick as Norway put a turbulent two weeks behind them and squeaked into the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup on goal difference on Sunday with a 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines at Eden Park.
Winger Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten also scored to help the 1995 champions finish in second place in Group A above co-hosts New Zealand with their first win of the tournament.
The Philippines, who finished bottom of the group despite their first World Cup win over New Zealand, ended the match with 10 players after defender Sofia Harrison was shown a red card in the 67th minute for a foul on Thea Bjelde.
With their tournament on the line, Norway looked like they meant business from the start.
They opened the scoring in the sixth minute when right back Ms. Bjelde lofted the ball up to Roman Haug, who finished from a tight angle with a sensational volley.
Roman Haug made it two in the 17th minute when she powered a perfectly placed header in off a deep pass from midfielder Vilde Boe Risa.
Graham Hansen sent one past a diving Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel from outside the box in the 31st minute, justifying her place in the starting team after being controversially benched for Norway’s previous match.
Things went from bad to worse for the Philippines when fullback Alicia Barker put the ball into her own net three minutes into the second half and Reiten converted a penalty five minutes later.
Roman Haug got her third with a well-placed header in second-half stoppage time off an assist from Reiten.
Norway finished second in Group A behind Switzerland, who held New Zealand to a scoreless draw in Sunday’s other match. They will play either Spain or Japan in last 16.
FILIPINOS TURN EDEN PARK TO LITTLE MANILA
Eden Park turned into “Little Manila” as Filipinos came in full force for the Philippines’ crucial showdown with Norway.
Most are working or residing in this large metropolitan city with the largest concentration of Pinoys in all of New Zealand. Some others flew from Manila, including Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Rchard “Dickie” Bachmann, officials of the UAAP, and once more, celebrities Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo and their brood.
The Filipino fans waited patiently for the gates to open at least two hours before kickoff. When the go-signal was given, they rushed like Christmas shoppers to the FIFA Merchandize Store to get ahead of the line and buy limited-supply Philippine scarf, shirt, hat, bonnet and other items before going to their seats.
“It’s like we’re in Manila,” a security personnel in the stadium perfectly described the situation.
The Filipino community in New Zealand got more excited for the team’s first outing at the Eden Park debut after that massive 1-0 upset of the host in Wellington.
Sean Adrian, a nurse here, arranged to have his shift changed so he could leave work at 2 p.m. and proceed to the game.
Jeremiah Manuel said it was good that the match was set for a Sunday, a day off.
Inside, they were rocking and rolling, transforming the 43,217-seater stadium into a bigger version of the good old Rizal Memorial. — Reuters with reports from Olmin Leyba