WELLINGTON. – Who’s afraid of the New Zealand Ferns and their hometown crowd?
Definitely not Australian coach Alen Stajcic and striker Katrina Guillou as the Filipinas battle the hosts Tuesday in a make-or-break FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A match at the Sky Stadium.
“Playing in front of a hometown crowd is (obviously) a big advantage for New Zealand. Being a host nation and being a home team has been always been an advantage in 150 years of football,” Stajcic acknowledged during the pre-match press conference here Monday.
The Australian tactician, however, noted that “fortunately we don’t have to play 25,000 people but against the 11 players on the field and whoever comes in as a substitute.
“Tuning out the crowd and being 100 percent focused and putting our best forward will give us the best possible chance to win the game,” stressed Guillou, who booted in the opening marker that was ruled an offside in the team’s 0-2 loss to Switzerland in Dunedin last week.
Stakes are high for both squads as they play their second game in the group at 5:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. Manila time).
A win by the Ferns, who opened their campaign with a rousing 1-0 triumph over Norway at the packed Eden Park in Auckland last week, will boost them into the knockout round while the Filipinas will be fighting for survival and hope to extend their debut stint in the women’s football showcase.
As his wont, Stajcic did not dwell on the negatives, saying: “Obviously, we are looking forward to this game. It is exciting to play the host nation, a wonderful occasion and a wonderful opportunity to showcase our team.”
Instead of being intimidated by the hometown gallery, he said the situation might just have an opposite effect on his underdog side.
“On the opposite spectrum, we have to embrace it. It (the match) is a brilliant occasion for our team as well. Playing in front of a big crowd and taking it all is a very special moment. One that they (the Filipinas) will cherish for the rest of their lives,” Stacjic pointed out.
“So, you want to go out there and give it your best shot. As motivated as it is for New Zealand, I think it is also for us as well. I believe it is brilliant, unbelievable and magical to have that kind of support for a national team. But is also our moment to shine and celebrate our game,” the coach said.
Stajcic and Guillou recalled the squad’s maiden meeting against the Ferns, who needed to come from behind to emerge on top with a 2-1 decision in a friendly held in the United States last September.
“It was really an important game for us because it was the first in a long time that we played a team high in the rankings. I remember walking off with Katrina at the end of the game and she was expressing the thought we can compete with these teams,” he recalled.
“The game showed that we can rise to this level. As to whether we can make it tomorrow, I don’t know. But we want to crash the party. It is not just really their (Ferns’) party, it is everyone’s party and our party as well,” Stajcic underscored. “We have arrived at the point where we have improved significantly enough to believe we can win the contest.”
Guillou shared her mentor’s optimism, saying: “We know that it is going to be a difficult one but all of us have been rising to the occasion and tomorrow will be another match.”
