As well as scores of people visiting to cheer on their favourite team at Dunedin Stadium, people of all ages gathered to watch games on the big screen at the Fifa Fan Festival, as well as enjoy performances by some of New Zealand’s best female musicians.
- The first local game kicked off on July 21 with Philippines v Switzerland.
More than 13,000 singing, chanting, cheering, cow-bell ringing fans created a frenzy of excitement at Dunedin Stadium.
Despite a gutsy defence from the Philippines, Switzerland triumphed with a 2-0 win.
- Next up were 2019 World Cup runners-up Netherlands v Portugal on July 23, playing in front of a spirited crowd of close to 12,000.
An early goal by Stefanie van der Gragt for the Netherlands sealed Portugal’s fate, and despite some close calls, Portugal were unable to cut through. The final score was 1-0 to the Netherlands.
- Red and white headbands dotted the streets in the leadup to Japan v Costa Rica on July 26.
As close to 7000 fans gathered at Dunedin Stadium, Japan proved to be a tough nut to crack, and despite a valiant effort, Costa Rica could not outclass Japan’s dominant position, with the final score 2-0 to Japan.
- Last Friday saw Argentina do battle with South Africa.
As close to 9000 fans created an electric atmosphere of singing, banging drums and waving flags, the thrilling game came down to the wire, ending on a 2-2 draw at fulltime.
- Sunday saw a crowd of almost 26,000 turn out to witness New Zealand v Switzerland.
There was a huge roar in the first half as New Zealand forward Jacqui Hand got within a whisker of scoring a goal, only for the ball to bounce off the post.
A full-time score of 0-0 was not quite enough to keep New Zealand in the competition, with the team eliminated on goal difference.
Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova said after the match she was very proud of what the team had done during the World Cup.
"When I saw the fans around and the sold-out stadiums and interaction that we had with New Zealand during those few weeks, that’s what we were aiming for, that’s what we wanted."
- On Tuesday, more than 8000 spectators turned up for the last of the local games at Dunedin Stadium, which saw Netherlands give Vietnam a trouncing, winning 7-0.
While it is over for local games, the competition continues with more than a dozen games still to play before the final kicks off on Sunday, August 20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
