Filipinos shower Philippines with support despite Women’s World Cup exit

Filipino fans watching the Fifa Women’s World Cup game between the Philippines and Norway during a viewing party at the Glorietta Mall in Makati. –ARNEL TACSON/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Despite losing their final game in the Fifa Women’s World Cup in a blowout, the Filipinas were still met with tremendous support from their fellow Filipinos at home.

In a watch party organized by Coca-Cola, Filipino fans flocked to the Glorietta 4 Activity Hall to witness the Philippines and Norway’s you-or-me duel to determine who will move on to the knockout phase of the global competition.

The Philippines, though, ended its historic run in the Women’s World Cup with a 6-0 loss at the hands of higher-ranked Norway, which managed to advance to the round-of-16.

Even before the game began, fans started swarming the venue’s seats and if they weren’t lucky to get one, they would reluctantly stand just to witness the action.

Before the kickoff, Philippine Football Federation President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta thanked the Philippine faithfuls via video message from New Zealand.

Filipino fans watching the Fifa Women’s World Cup game between the Philippines and Norway during a viewing party at the Glorietta Mall in Makati. –ARNEL TACSON/INQUIRER.net

Filipina players Carleigh Freelles, Quinley Quezada also recorded a short greeting before the match, much to the delight of the fans inside Makati.

Coca-Cola also unveiled a new commercial for the  Fifa World Cup which included Philippines’ star player Sarina Bolden, the hero of the Philippines landmark 1-0 win over New Zealand in the group stage.

Right from the opening whistle, fan support poured in with several chants backed by Ultras Filipinas and several drum beats.

“It’s not the result we wanted. We were already down 3-0 in the first half which was kind of disappointing but still a big kudos to our Filipinas. They won against New Zealand and they always gave it their all,” said Roy Lastimosa, one of many fans who flocked to Makati for the Fifa action.

After Sophie Roman Haug’s sixth minute goal, the crowd fell hush but only for a little bit. Met by some technical problems along the way, some fans grew impatient but the support never wavered until the end.

“Despite the loss, our spirit to chant for the Philippines will not go away. We thank God because finally, the Philippines reached the World Cup,” told Patty Membrere, another Filipinas’ faithful.

The Filipinas end their World Cup run, the first time a Philippine team male or female made it to football’s grandest stage, but not without a lone win over host New Zealand in Group A.

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