A passionate Netherlands fan encourages his team at the Wellington Regional Stadium. Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa
The highly anticipated Women's World Cup clash between the US and the Netherlands in Wellington today ended with a draw.
The deadlock made for a somewhat disappointing end to an exciting match. More than 27,000 people packed in for the lunchtime game, which was a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final, won by the USA.
In the morning, Team USA's biggest fans crowded around the side's hotel hoping to see their favourite players before the match.
Brooke travelled all the way from Ohio to show her support.
"My mom and I decided going to the tournament was our dream come true.
"I've been a soccer fan and a soccer player since I was four and we're realising our dreams this week."
Some of the Dutch supporters on the waterfront before the match. Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa
Down on the Wellington waterfront, thousands of Dutch fans were excitedly gathering to march, parade style, down to the stadium. A woman who called herself the Queen of Cheese 007 explained why she was watching the game.
"Why? Because I love the Dutch. That's why."
She has committed to following Team Netherlands throughout the tournament, all the while carrying a 1.5kg wheel of cheese on her head.
"If they go to the last 16 then I have to go to Australia, and if they get to the quarterfinals I will have to come back to New Zealand."
Fans decked out to support the Dutch. Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa
Another Dutch supporter said it was important young girls had the opportunity to watch the Women's World Cup. She said her team set a great example. "They prove sports for ladies is super."
Fans marching in another parade for the World Champion USA team felt similarly.
"We need good role models for our young kids, and for us old women too. We need role models in general and these women are it."
There was plenty of support for the defending champions also. Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa
Before the game, the energy was high and supporters had plenty of predictions about which way it would go. The match was tight with the Dutch scoring first midway through the first half and the United States equalising early in the second.
When the the final whistle blew, the one-all draw was met with slow claps and few half-hearted whoops. But the family of fans of both the USA and the Netherlands did not feel too let down.
"Four of us are supporting the Americans and one supporting the Netherlands.
"A draw is good because if one of them had won then we'd probably have some tears flowing.
"So we'll take that, we're happy with that."
Netherlands fans Jocelyn and Mari were pleased the draw meant their team would have the opportunity to continue in the competition.
"I'm happy that they had a draw, rather than a loss," Mari said.
Jocelyn said: "Exactly, it was the first game I've actually sat through and watched and it was so tense but we didn't lose."
The two sides now each have a win and a draw at the tournament.
The quality of today's game showed they both remain contenders for the final.
Photo: Photosport/ Masanori Udagawa