Difficult guy to please! The Filipino coach isn’t smiling despite his side making history by scoring their first World Cup goal

It’s about hiding emotions, locking them up and throwing away the key – something the Philippines women’s soccer coach offered a master class in after his side’s winning goal against hosts New Zealand on Tuesday.

After Sarina Bolden’s historic header in the 24th minute of the game in Wellington – the country’s first goal at a World Cup ever – the beaming goalscorer rushed to her team-mates and coaches on the touchline.

When manager Alen Stajcic was happy, he hid it very, very well – adopting a stern poker face while his enthusiastic team hugged everyone around him. As the camera panned to him, the football fans were offered a winning growl rather than a winning smile.

Imagine if you lost! Sarina Bolden’s historic 24th goal marked the first time the Philippines – male or female – had scored at a World Cup, but hardened coach Alen Stajcic kept any joy a secret

The manager, a former Australian player, sniffed as the celebration continued around him

In the post-match press conference, he admitted that it was indeed a pivotal moment in his career, saying: ‘How can you beat a host country at a World Cup?’ It’s number one’

Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ first goal of the Women’s World Cup in a 1-0 win over co-hosts New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday

When the final whistle blew, the coach finally beamed a smile as he offered a cheery clenched fist to the fans in the crowd.

Bolden will go down in history as the first Filipino goalscorer at a men’s or women’s World Cup by scoring a powerful header in the first half and winning the game.

And in the press conference that followed, Stajcic, who once captained the Australian team that hosts alongside New Zealand, made it clear that the Philippines’ historic first win at the tournament was a major achievement.

He told reporters that the debutant’s win “has to be one of the biggest wins in the history of the sport in the country.”

He continued, “How can you beat a host country at a World Cup?” It’s number one.

“It was very emotional on the pitch, seeing almost everyone crying. It’s incredible. When you hear stories of other teams taking so long to win World Cup games… We did it in our second game at our first World Cup.

Arrived at the end! Former Matildas manager Stajcic gave fans a smile as the historic victory in Wellington was sealed, saying it was “very emotional on the pitch”.

With the surprising victory, the World Cup debutants kept up their hopes of reaching the round of 16

New Zealand must do everything they can to qualify after losing in Wellington on Tuesday

“You can’t really tell how far we’ve come back compared to these teams.”

After the euphoria of an opening win against Norway, New Zealand came back down to earth with a 1-0 defeat.

A resurgent New Zealand thought they had equalized when Jacqui Hand netted a header from a loop, but Hannah Wilkinson was just barely offside in the run-up.

The goal was ruled void due to a VAR review more than a minute after wild celebrations which burst the Kiwis’ balloon.