Philippines Women’s National football team coach Alen Stajcic has called the team’s shocking 1-0 win over co-hosts of the Women’s World Cup, New Zealand, the biggest result in the history of team sports in the country.

Sabrina Dolben was the heroine after her 24th-minute header secured a hard-fought win. The American-born forward scored the penalty that secured the country’s slot at the world cup, and she was instrumental on Tuesday.

Although New Zealand huffed and puffed and scored a goal, it was eventually ruled out for offside. After the game, Stajcic said the win has to be one of the biggest wins in the history of sport in the country and that it’s a testament to how far the team has come.

“To think we’ve done it in our second match at our first World Cup, you can’t really appreciate how far we’ve come. It’s just staggering, miraculous, and unbelievable. What the players have done, it’s just mind-blowing; it’s just a special moment in the history of Philippines team sport. I don’t know if there’s been a bigger win. Obviously, Pacquiao individually, but for team sport, it would have to be one of the best achievements in the history of the country.” Stajcic said.

The result has left Group A very open, especially after Norway’s goalless draw with Switzerland, which leaves the Scandanavians bottom of the table and Switzerland at the very top.

The Philippines will have to beat Norway in their final group game to be assured of progress into the next round of the competition, irrespective of whatever happens between New Zealand and Switcher Land.

Meanwhile, Linda Caicedo scored as Colombia beat South Korea 2-0, while Wednesday’s games will see Japan will play Costa Rica; Zambia will tackle Spain in the final game, see Canada play Ireland.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu