Sports

Women’s World Cup 2023: New Zealand fans react with ‘disappointment’ and ‘pride’ after exit

  • By Neil Johnston
  • BBC Sport in Wellington

Image supply, Getty Images

Image caption,

New Zealand are the primary host nation to be knocked out in the course of the group phases on the Fifa Women’s World Cup, regardless of selecting up extra factors (4) in 2023 than of their earlier 5 World Cup campaigns mixed (3)

There was silence inside Shed 6 on Wellington’s waterfront when the full-time whistle signalled the top of New Zealand’s Women’s World Cup dream.

And then a spherical of applause from the tons of of locals watching on a giant display screen in New Zealand’s capital.

Having claimed a historic first win over Norway on the opening night time of the event, the co-hosts exited the competitors at 20:58 native time on Sunday after a tension-filled night time.

Following a goalless draw with Switzerland, the Football Ferns completed on 4 factors from three video games – the identical quantity as Norway, who hammered the Philippines 6-0 of their last group match.

Norway’s superior aim distinction noticed them advance alongside with Group A winners Switzerland to the knockout stage.

Fans banged on the tables and roared when the fourth official signalled a minimal of eight minutes of stoppage time within the New Zealand-Switzerland match.

And cheers and whistles stuffed the air when Football Ferns keeper Victoria Esson went up for a 96th-minute nook – and headed huge.

Even Japan fans, who’re within the metropolis for Monday’s Group C encounter with Spain (08:00 BST kick-off), cheered contained in the indoor fan park every time New Zealand surged ahead.

In the top, there was an enormous sense of disappointment blended with pleasure because the Football Ferns fell agonisingly quick.

“There are plenty more World Cups to come and New Zealand’s women are only getting better and better at football,” Terry Lynch, who watched the match on the large display screen with his son Dante, stated.

“Huge credit score to the Football Ferns as a result of I assumed they performed terrific.

“Unfortunately objectives are what wins matches and we did not get one. You’re up towards the most effective on this planet and you’ve got to be on type on a regular basis.

“But as a lot as you possibly can say there may be disappointment, there may be lots of pleasure that the women gave it their all.

“I can’t wait to see the place we can be in 4 years’ time when the subsequent World Cup takes place. We’ll be again.”

Annie Kennedy stated the Football Ferns had modified opinions in New Zealand regardless of going out.

“It’s unhappy that we’re out, however I’m actually stuffed with hope,” she added.

“There was such a way of complacency within the nation that New Zealand weren’t going to do properly and wasn’t going to attain something on this event.

“But that first win over Norway completely flipped the mindset of everybody into thinking ‘this could be a thing’. There is hope and belief that wasn’t there before. So I see that as a huge success.”

Image caption,

Fans packed an indoor fan pageant in Wellington, New Zealand, to observe the co-hosts towards Switzerland

Annie stated she was “excited” in regards to the future for the Football Ferns.

“There’s a few experienced players in the team who will be gone soon,” she added. “I think this next period of time before the next Women’s World Cup is going to be really critical and really exciting.”

Following New Zealand’s exit, Mandy Lewis stated she could be cheering on one other workforce on the event however had not determined who.

“Definitely not Australia,” she added.

Source link

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button