WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Philippine women's football team coach Alen Stajcic’s lack of emotion after Sarina Bolden’s goal against New Zealand was an amusement for some of fans shortly after the conclusion of the match.
Cameras caught Stajcic looking aloof in the middle of the Filipinas’ celebration after Bolden’s goal that eventually gave the team its first-ever World Cup win.
Stajcic's blank look
“I don’t know if that’s a complement or whatever,” said Stajcic, smiling when asked by an Australian reporter about his reaction in the match. “Whatever it was, 25th, 30th minute of the game, there’s a long way to go. I know how hard we have to work throughout that whole game before it’s over.”
“Obviously, it was a special goal. First goal for the country in history. But for me, I know there’s a lot of hard work to come after that,” said Stajcic.
The Australian coach was right.
The Football Ferns went on the offensive in the second half but were denied by Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel each time. The Filipinas were also relieved when a goal by Jacqui Hand was disallowed following a VAR review.
“There were a lot of people texting me that I have a stone-cold face on that. I was right. There were so many incidents that happened after (that goal) where it requires hardwork, composure, discipline, heart and spirit and I think this team’s got it in spades. In all those factors they were 10 out of 10. They are one of the best teams in the world with unity and collective effort and playing above themselves as a unit.”
“When you see that and you have, it’s really special. But I know, it’s a long way to go. Just don’t want to get carried away,” said Stajcic.
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