Si Sara Eggesvik, habang inaawit ang “Lupang Hinirang,” ang Philippine national anthem, bago ang laro kontra New Zealand.
AUCKLAND – Ipinanganak sa Norway subalit proudly Filipino, isasantabi ni talented midfielder Sara Eggesvik ang kanyang damdamin at handa na sa laban sa pagsagupa ng Filipinas sa Gresshoppene (the Grasshoppers) sa krusyal na laro sa Linggo sa pagtatapos ng Group A sa FIFA Women’s World Cup sa Eden Park dito.
“We have to put that aside when the game starts. I am playing for the Philippines. I will do my best to get a win and get points,” pahayag ni Eggesvik makaraan ang upset win ng Filipinas kontra Ferns, 1-0, para sa kanilang makasaysayang unang panalo sa World Cup sa Sky Stadium sa Wellington noong nakaraang Martes.
Isa pang prized finds ni Australian coach Alen Stajcic, si Eggesvik, na ang ama ay isang Norwegian at ang ina ay nagmula sa Davao, ay ipinanganak sa coastal city ng Bodø, 1,188.5 kilometers northeast ng capital of Oslo at matatagpuan malapit sa Artic Circle.
Nakuha niya ang atensiyon ng Filipino fans sa 10th AFF Women’s Championship noong nakaraang taon kung saan ipinamalas niya ang kanyang midfield mastery at fluid play nang makopo ng Filipinas ang unang major international title ng bansa sa Rizal Memorial Stadium sa Manila.
“The victory over the fancied Ferns showed that 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, to get a goal and get points from our games. That motivates us. I am glad that we are not out already,” sabi ni Eggesvik, 26.
Binigyan niya ng kredito si Stajcic at ang iba pa sa coaching staff “who keep on pushing us and making us better every day. We have always believed in ourselves even when we lost and played bad games. We will keep on playing hard.”
Bagama’t isang mabigat na hamon, sinabi ni Eggesvik na ang mamayani kontra Norway ay hindi lamang mangangahulugan ng pag-abante sa knockout round kundi magkakaroon din ng malaking epekto sa football development sa bansa.
“Going to the knockout stage, that 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,” pagbibigay-diin niya.
