New Zealand Women vs Philippines Women – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
Tournament co-hosts New Zealand face the Philippines in their second match of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The football ferns will be looking to add 3 more points to their count, whilst the Philippines will be looking for their first win of the tournament – after losing their opening game.
Match Preview
New Zealand World Cup campaign
Co-hosts New Zealand shocked everyone when they beat Norway 1-0 in their opening game. It marked New Zealand’s first-ever win at the World Cup, having played 15 World Cup matches.
Hannah Wilkinson’s second-half strike proved enough for all three points – and with a win under their wings, the Ferns will be looking for a route out of the group stages.
If they beat the Philippines and Norway fails to beat Switzerland they will make it to the last 16 with a game to spare, while a point will be enough if Norway lose.
New Zealand can go into the Philippines game with confidence as the last time the teams met, NZ won 2-1 in September 2022.
Philippines World Cup campaign
For the Philippines, their first 2023 World Cup game saw them lose 2-0 to Switzerland.
On top of that, the Philippines also failed to register a shot on target.
The team will be looking to sharpen up defensively this time around, as Switzerland was able to rack up 19 attempts on goal and keeper Olivia McDaniel was forced to make six saves.
The Philippines sit a massive 20 places below New Zealand in the Fifa world rankings, so the team must prepare for a tough encounter.
Team News
After getting off to a winning start, New Zealand boss Jitkas Klimkova is expected to name an unchanged lineup for their second group game.
As a result, Rebekah Stott will start alongside Katie Bowen in the centre of defence, with the pair looking to help their country record a second straight clean sheet.
Melbourne City’s Hannah Wilkinson will be looking to continue her fine form after scoring five goals in her last seven games for club and country.
As for the Philippines, Alen Stanjic may be tempted to bring experienced midfielder Tahnai Annis into the starting lineup.
Sofia Harrison will have to be careful with her challenges after receiving a booking against Switzerland, leaving her one yellow card away from a suspension.
Sarina Bolden, who plays her club football for Western Sydney Wanderers, is expected to continue her forward partnership with Katrina Guillou.
New Zealand Women possible starting lineup:
Esson; Bott, Stott, Bowen, A. Riley; Hassett, Percival, Steinmetz; I. Riley, Hand, Wilkinson
Philippines Women possible starting lineup:
McDaniel; Barker, Long, Cowart, Beard, Harrison; Quezada, Sawicki, Annis; Bolden, Guillou
WTX Sports predicts New Zealand 2-0 Philippines
Off the back of the success of the opening match and being on home soil we think New Zealand will have all the confidence in the world going into this game. They’ll defend well and rack up shots quickly.
