WELLINGTON — Sara Eggesvik became emotional after providing the game-winning assist in the Filipinas’ 1-0 upset of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosts, New Zealand, at the Wellington Regional Stadium here.
The 26-year-old midfielder held her nerve in the Football Ferns’ box and delivered a fantastic overhead pass, which was headed into the back of the net by Sarina Bolden in the 24th minute of the match.
While being interviewed by Filipino and foreign journalists in the mixed zone, Eggesvik could not hold back tears as the gravity of the moment—the Philippines’ first win in the World Cup—and her individual contribution towards it sank in.
“Right now, there are so many emotions going through my head,” she said. “I’m just really proud. What a journey it’s been with the team, you know?
“To prepare ourselves for the World Cup, and because we had played against really good teams, been in training camps, and lost a lot of games, but we still have the effort and keep fighting and (to) see what we can do… I can’t believe what we have achieved.”
Definitely, it had been a long road for the 26-year-old midfielder who was born and raised in Bodo, Norway.
Representing Norway at the youth level, Eggesvik decided to represent the motherland in 2022.
However, it meant that the KIL/Hemne pro had to be away from her family to train with the national team.
Ditto for the rest of the Filipinas.
In the biggest of stages, the Philippines was in danger of experiencing a premature exit after a 2-0 loss to Switzerland on opening day.
Eggesvik and Bolden’s combination in the final third, along with a fine goalkeeping display from Olivia McDaniel, have given the Filipinas a lifeline to make it into the next round.
It can be argued that the Filipinas had more luck this time around compared to their first match.
New Zealand’s Jacqui Hand was denied by the post and saw her goal ruled out due to being offside by the tiniest of margins. Nevertheless, you make your own luck, and Alan Stajcic’s side sacrificed so much throughout the match to earn all three points.
“It was a great header by Sarina,” she said. “I feel like this was a team effort, even though it was one goal. But we had great defense this game that kept them away from the goal, and everyone fought. I just feel so glad and grateful and proud of this team, of what we have achieved, and (how) we keep making history.
“This team is really something special.
“It shows that we can compete at this level and that we will keep fighting. We see that it’s possible to get a win and a goal, get points from our games. That motivates us, and right now, it gives us a chance to go even further. I’m glad we’re not out already. That would have been sad,” she continued.
The most straightforward permutation for the Filipinas to enter the round of 16 is to win their next match.
They will face a slumping Norway, which has yet to win in this tournament. The Norwegians are currently at the bottom of Group A after being held to a 0-0 draw by Switzerland a few hours ago.
The match will be a special occasion for Eggesvik, who grew up in Norway with a Norwegian father and a Filipina mother from Davao. When the opening whistle blows, she promises to put her personal connection aside to help the Philippines secure the three points.
“It’s special since we play with Norway, but I (will) put that aside, and when the game starts, I am playing for the Philippines. I’ll do my best to get the win and to get points. I will put my family aside at that point,” she said.
