Speaking to Sky Sport, co-captain Ali Riley could not hold back her tears of joy, saying she could not find the words to express her feelings about the team's unexpected result. "I am very proud. We are playing to inspire young people at home and around the world," Ali Riley said.

Ali Riley was emotional as New Zealand secured a shock win in their opening match of the 2023 Women's World Cup. Photo: Stuff

In addition, Ali Riley said that she and her teammates received "energy" from the enthusiastic cheers of the audience. According to the latest statistics, the total number of fans present at the stadium to watch this opening match was 42,137, a record for a football match (both men's and women's) in New Zealand so far.

Meanwhile, coach Jitka Klimková also shared the joy with her players, and thanked the New Zealand fans for their support. “Without them, we probably wouldn’t have been able to achieve this victory,” coach Jitka Klimková affirmed.

Wikinson shares joy with teammates and fans. Photo: Stuff

In addition, this coach also said that she was very confident that with careful preparation and strong determination, the New Zealand team would make a difference in the opening match and indeed they made it happen. "I am very happy. This victory is a good start for the whole team," coach Jitka Klimková added.

Facing a Norway team that is rated much higher, most notably ranked 12th in the world compared to New Zealand (26th in the world), the home team's strikers showed a completely different face than anyone expected before the 2023 Women's World Cup finals.

It was co-host New Zealand who wrote the Andersen fairy tale for Norway thanks to the only goal of the match by star Wikinson. Even the most optimistic person would not have thought that a team that has not won a match after 4 World Cups like New Zealand would win all 3 points against Norway - a strong team in European and world women's football. In fact, if Ria Percical had been luckier, New Zealand would have defeated Norway 2-0 instead of 1-0.

New Zealand football history has turned a new page. Photo: Stuff

It was a great New Zealand team, showing great fighting spirit to defeat a “giant” in dramatic fashion until the last minute. It must also be said that this was the first victory of the Kiwi team in the history of participating in the biggest football festival on the planet.

Furthermore, what the New Zealand women's team did against Norway will be an inspiration for the "underdog" teams at the ongoing 2023 Women's World Cup finals.

Thai Ha

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