It took 32 years for the Filipinas to reach the heights of the Women’s World Cup. But it took them just two matches to secure their first World Cup win, against co-hosts New Zealand on Tuesday.
The unexpected victory leaves the Philippines on the brink of the round of 16, if they can pull off another remarkable result on Sunday against Norway, a team featuring some of the best players in the world. But since he was appointed in late 2021, Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic – who formerly led the Matildas until a contentious exit ahead of the 2019 World Cup – has consistently delivered the unexpected.
