Women’s World Cup: Host New Zealand exits the World Cup and Morocco celebrates – News

AUCKLAND – With tears in their eyes, the New Zealand soccer players looked into space.

While the Swiss were celebrating their qualification to the World Cup Round of 16 at Dunedin, the co-hosts had to say goodbye to the tournament.

A goalless draw in Dunedin against Switzerland, coached by former German international Inka Greens, was not enough for New Zealand as Norway celebrated a 6-0 (3-0) victory over the Philippines in the parallel match. South Korea is more threatened than ever with being eliminated from Group H in Germany after its historic 0-1 (0-1) victory over Morocco.

Decision in group A

Switzerland were in the last 16 for the second time in their second World Cup appearance, as they had in 2015 – at that time under current national coach Martina Vos-Tecklenburg as national coach, and five points were enough to top the group ahead of Norway. The round of 16 competitors will be decided on Monday. Spain and Japan have already qualified and are vying for victory in Group C in a head-to-head duel.

And because Australia could also be eliminated on Monday, the World Cup risks being held in the round of 16 without a host. The New Zealand Herald newspaper accompanied the decisive match of the Football Ferns team in front of 25,947 spectators with breaking news on its website. National coach Jitka Klimkova was selected in the final stage, and goalkeeper Viktoria Eason entered the Swiss penalty area during standard situations. But the compensatory goal in the round of 16 was no longer scored.

At Eden Park in Auckland, 34,697 spectators watched an even greater number of goals. After a previously mediocre tournament, Norway celebrated a well-deserved first win over World Cup debutants Philippines. Sophie Roman Hoge scored (6/17/90+5 minutes), Caroline Graham Hansen (31st), Alicia Parker with an own goal (48th), and Guru Reiten (53rd/false penalty kick). Sophia Harrison received a red card for the Philippines in the 67th minute.

Initial decision in group H

In Adelaide, the Moroccans were hugging each other after their first World Cup victory. Ibtissam Al-Jaridi, who scored the only goal in the sixth minute in front of 12,886 spectators, said: “We are very happy because the effort was worth it. This victory is for Morocco and the Arab world, it is the result of our hard work.” Spectators. Morocco lost its opening match against the German team 0-6. But they got off to a “bad start” to the match against South Korea, said coach Reynald Pedros.

South Korea’s choice of former Bundesliga coach Colin Bell therefore has only a very theoretical chance of reaching the round of 16. Next Thursday (12:00 pm CET) Germany will be the group’s last opponent. Bale (61 years old) has been responsible for coaching the South Korean national team since 2019. Before that, he was also the one who contributed to shaping German football for many years. Among others, he coached FC Bad Neuenahr (2011-2013), UEFA Champions League winner 1. Frankfurt (2013-2015) and FC Sand (2016/2017).