The New Zealand Football Ferns and the Philippines are set to face off in a Women’s World Cup 2023 Group A match on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.
The Football Ferns are coming off a 1-0 win over Norway in their opening match, while the Philippines lost 1-0 to Sweden.
New Zealand is the more experienced team, having qualified for the Women’s World Cup four times in the past, while the Philippines is making its first appearance in the tournament.
The Football Ferns have a number of talented players, including captain Abby Erceg, midfielder Olivia Chance, and forward Hannah Wilkinson. The Philippines also has some dangerous players, including midfielder Tahnai Annis and forward Sarina Bolden.
The match is expected to be competitive, but the Football Ferns should be the favorites to win.
Match Preview :
Here is a more detailed look at the two teams:
New Zealand
The Football Ferns are the co-hosts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and are currently rated 22nd in the world. They’ve previously qualified for the competition four times, most recently in 2019. After defeating Norway 1-0 on Thursday. If New Zealand beat the Philippines they will be guaranteed a place in the knockout stage with a game up their sleeve if Norway do not win against Switzerland later on Tuesday night
Abby Erceg, a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year nominee, serves as the team’s captain and is the face of the Football Ferns. Hannah Wilkinson, an attacker, Olivia Chance, a midfielder, and Meikayla Moore, a defender, are further prominent players for New Zealand.
Philippines
The Philippines, which is currently ranked 46th in the world, is competing in the Women’s World Cup for the first time. The Philippines earned a spot in the competition by placing second in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. They need a positive result to keep their hopes of progressing through to the knockout stages alive after they lost 2-0 to Switzerland in Dunedin last Friday.
Tahnai Annis, a midfielder for the Philippines, serves as the group’s captain. others who are crucial to Philippines for the match include forward Sarina Bolden, midfielder Sofia Harrison, and defender Hali Long.
Wellington, it’s time! 🇳🇿 v 🇵🇭
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 24, 2023
For those attending the match, please plan to arrive at least an hour before kick-off to make sure you get to your seat on time.
Watch live on @skysportnz 🌿#FIFAWWC #NZL pic.twitter.com/GB3YtKP6PO
Starting Line-up
New Zealand possible starting lineup:
Esson; Bott, Stott, Bowen, A. Riley; Hassett, Percival, Steinmetz; I. Riley, Hand, Wilkinson
Philippines possible starting lineup:
McDaniel; Barker, Long, Cowart, Beard, Harrison; Quezada, Sawicki, Annis; Bolden, Guillou
Prediction
The Football Ferns are the match’s heavy favorites to prevail. They are superior than the Philippines in terms of team skill and experience. The Philippines, however, should not be underrated since they are a dangerous squad.
I think the Football Ferns will prevail 2-1 in this game.
The Match-Key
The midfield struggle will be crucial to the game. The skilled midfielders on both teams will try to exert influence over the game. The Football Ferns will have a decent chance of winning the game if they can prevail in the midfield duel.
Head to Head
Both team teams have played together only once and Co-hosts may take confidence from their previous meeting with the Philippines, which produced a 2-1 victory in September 2022.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Odds: New Zealand-Philippines Odds
New Zealand: -300
Philippines: +1000
Draw: +390
Over 2.5 Goals: +108
Under 2.5 Goals: -136
Where To Watch New Zealand vs. Philippines
TV: Fox Sports 1, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo, Peacock,
Stream: fuboTV, Peacock Premium, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Sling Latino, YouTube, FIFA+, UNIVERSO NOW, FOX Sports App, Foxsports.com
Time: 1:30 AM ET / 10:30 PM PT.