2023-07-20 14:58:55
Hannah Wilkinson made New Zealand footballing history on Thursday when she scored the first goal of the 2023 World Cup, helping her country win a game in the finals for the first time. An event that gives her the opportunity to accomplish her goal: to popularize football and women’s sport in her archipelago.
Published on: 07/20/2023 – 14:58
4 mn
Hannah Wilkinson is far from a beginner. At 31, the Melbourne City striker has already played in four World Cups and three Olympic Games with New Zealand. However, she is experiencing a great first this summer: a World Cup at home, played in front of her friends and family.
For the opening match played Thursday, July 20 at Eden Park in Auckland, the attacker was up to the event thanks in particular to her speed and her runs which put the Norwegian defender Harviken to the torture. And, three minutes after the break, she found the fault: served by Hand, she sent the ball into the back of the Norwegian net.
This goal earned him cheers from the crowd when his substitution was made late in the game. It also allowed her to win the title of “woman of the match”. Above all, the goal was enough for the “Football Ferns” to clinch their first World Cup victory in their history. With the way that is more: Norway of Ada Hegerberg was considered the favorite of group A.
Although Hannah Wilkinson has already scored in her team’s previous performances (draw against Mexico in 2011 and against China in 2015), she called it the “biggest” goal of her career. “It’s even better because we won and at home,” Wilkinson said. “It’s now my favorite goal.”
A World Cup at home that she was waiting for
Hannah Wilkinson is one of the pillars of the “Football Ferns”. During her career, she played 114 matches with her selection, scoring 29 goals, gradually approaching the record held by Amber Hearn (36).
Solar personality, his talents are not expressed only on the ground. She is also a guitarist and artist. His first talent allows him to relax his comrades between matches. His second earned him the opportunity to create a fresco in Eden Park ahead of the competition. This same stage where she has now marked the history of her country.
I was given the opportunity to create a piece that showcases the 3 women’s world cups held in Aotearoa New Zealand. Women’s sport deserves an equal platform in our country. Thank you, @edenparknz and @NickSautner for providing this and shining the spotlight on our female athletes pic.twitter.com/vusWzfJFEC
— Hannah Wilkinson (@HannahWilkinso1) May 9, 2022
“It’s a special bond I have with this stadium. It’s amazing to have that part of me outside the stadium and to score inside, there aren’t many people who can say that,” she described after the match.
She does not intend to stop there. In an interview with the Olympic site before the World Cup, she hopes that the World Cup organized in Oceania will help popularize her sport among New Zealanders.
Read alsoWomen’s World Cup 2023: Australia and New Zealand, football grounds for a month
“It’s a global sport (but) it’s not a sport you see a lot in New Zealand. We’re passionate about rugby and cricket, but I’d like to see after this World Cup that we’re also a football-loving country,” she explained. “I would like football to rise to the same level as cricket and rugby.”
“We saw it in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final, Eden Park was sold out. People want to see women playing sport. So it’s going to be huge for women’s football, of course, but also for women’s sport in general, that’s for sure.”
A committed sportswoman, Hannah Wilkinson openly displays her homosexuality. “Being an athlete, especially at the highest level, provides a tremendous platform to lead by example, especially for younger people. Being open about my identity in such an influential position helps promote the importance of accepting who you are,” she wrote on le site d’Out for the Winan association that promotes the visibility of LGBT+ athletes.
Her next goal as an attacker is to qualify her team for the historic round of 16. A goal now within reach after beating the favorites of group A.
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