In a high-stakes clash at the FIFA Women's World Cup, Filipinas midfielder Sara Eggesvik remains unyielding in her focus as she gears up to face Norway this Sunday, marking the culmination of Group A at Eden Park.
Eggesvik was born in the coastal city of Bodø, northeast of the capital of Oslo and located near the Arctic Circle but traces her roots to Davao City. She showcased her brilliance by orchestrating Sarina Bolden's breathtaking header that sealed a mesmerizing 1-0 triumph over New Zealand last Tuesday in Wellington.
Recalling the game-changing moment, Eggesvik humbly shared, "I remember getting the ball in the box and just crossed it. It was an amazing header by Sarina over three defenders. It was a team effort. I am just so glad and grateful. I am so proud of this team."
This triumphant win has thrust the Filipinas into contention for a coveted spot in the tournament's knockout stage.
Eggesvik's remarkable skills and fluid play caught the attention of Filipino fans during last year's 10th AFF Women's Championship, where she played a crucial role in securing the country's first major international title at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
"This team is really something special. It shows we can compete at this level, and we will keep on fighting. It shows that it is possible to get a win, a goal, and points from our games. That motivates us," Eggesvik, overwhelmed with emotion, said in a press statement.
She took a moment to pay tribute to coach Alen Stajcic and the rest of the staff for their unwavering support in elevating their daily performance. Stajcic, according to her, kept pushing them to make them better every day.
"We have always believed in ourselves, even when we lost and played bad games. We will keep on playing hard," she added.
As they relished their triumph, Eggesvik earnestly acknowledged the formidable task ahead - a clash with Norway; a team ranked 34 places higher at No. 12. Thus, they needed to regroup and prepare for the next game. It was now imperative for the Filipinas to gather their strength, recalibrate their strategies, and brace themselves for the imminent showdown.
She continued, "We have to take advantage of what we have. We want to see if we can create trouble and be competitive. To keep our heads down and keep fighting."
Toppling Norway would secure a place in the knockout stage and ignite a significant spark in football development back home. Eggesvik underscored, "Going to the knockout stage would mean a lot. From being a small football country, we can inspire a lot of girls and boys to start playing football and show that it is possible to do something great, although you are from the Philippines." (MLSA with PR)