“Swiss Draw Spells Devastation: New Zealand’s Women’s World Cup Journey Ends in Tears 😢🇳🇿”
In a heartbreaking turn of circumstances, co-hosts of the Fifa Women’s World Cup New Zealand were knocked out of the competition as Switzerland earned the draw necessary to advance as Group A champions. Norway moved ahead of the hosts in the standings after their dominant 6-0 victory over the Philippines, which had Norway in second place heading into their final group encounter.
With their previous game ending in a shocking 1-0 loss to the Philippines, the lowest-ranked team in Group A, New Zealand’s dreams were on the line. Before the decisive match in Dunedin, their future was in their own hands.
where they needed to win in order to advance. They failed to record a single shot on target in the first 70 minutes against Switzerland as they struggled to generate opportunities.
Because both teams knew they needed to win to guarantee their qualification, the match against Switzerland quickly became tight. The players from New Zealand became more upset as the game went on because they realised that their ambition of winning in front of their home audience was fading. It was the first time a host nation failed to advance past the group stage at the Women’s World Cup when the final whistle confirmed their elimination on the basis of goal differential.
New Zealand’s performance was especially disappointing in light of their impressive start to the competition, as they won 1-0 over Norway in the first game. However, their failure to take advantage of openings against the Philippines ultimately turned out to be decisive.
Against Switzerland, the Football Ferns put on a lacklustre performance, managing their first attempt on goal only in the 74th minute. Despite their best attempts, which included Victoria Esson of New Zealand going up for a corner and two free kicks, they were unsuccessful in scoring. For the second time in their history, Switzerland’s staunch defence ensured their place in the round of 16, having also done so at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Despite the sad outcome, New Zealand’s coach, Jitka Klimkova, lauded her team’s efforts and emphasised the advantages they would get from the experience. Co-captain Ali Riley reiterated her remarks and expressed delight in the group’s tenacity and perseverance during the competition. The athletes hoped that their success would encourage young girls everywhere—not just in New Zealand—to play sports and have confidence in their capacity for greatness.
As a result of their elimination from the competition, New Zealand’s hopes for a victorious Women’s World Cup campaign on home soil came to a sad end. In spite of their best efforts, they were unable to defeat Switzerland, who won Group A and moved on. The group nevertheless took comfort in the fact that they had a beneficial influence on motivating a new generation of female athletes.