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New Zealand have been sent crashing out of the Women’s World Cup on goal difference after being held to a 0-0 draw against Switzerland on Sunday.
Norway‘s 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines in the other Group A game in Auckland put them level on four points with New Zealand but second on goal difference. Switzerland advanced to the knockout stages as group winners on five points.
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As a result, New Zealand, who stunned Norway in their opening match before losing to the Philippines in their second, became the first Women’s World Cup hosts to exit in the group stage.
Roared on by a near-capacity crowd of 25,947 at the indoor Dunedin Stadium, New Zealand lacked nothing in effort but could not find the goal they needed to progress.
“I can’t ask any more of the players. There’s a lot of tears out there but they should be so proud,” New Zealand co-captain Ali Riley said. “We fought really hard. … There’s such disappointment but I want everyone to be proud of what we’ve achieved.
“I really think that we’ve inspired the country. I hope that little girls across New Zealand…
