Switzerland made a profitable begin to their Women’s World Cup marketing campaign with a 2–0 victory over debutants Philippines at Dunedin Stadium, because of Ramona Bachmann’s first-half penalty and a close-range effort from Seraina Piubel.
Inka Grings’s aspect have been awarded a penalty by way of VAR after midfielder Coumba Sow used to be stuck by way of a stray boot from Jessika Cowart past due within the first half of, with ahead Bachmann coolly slotting the ball previous Olivia Davies-McDaniel.
“I wasn’t that nervous but I knew it was an important moment,” Bachmann mentioned. “I knew that it might be vital for our staff to get to half-time with a 1-0 so I used to be actually centered and I clearly attempted to attain, however I think relatively assured in taking pictures consequences. So I used to be actually calm.”
The Philippines, coached by way of the previous Matildas supervisor Alen Stajcic, made historical past as they turned into the primary staff from their nation – male or feminine – to seem on the finals of an international soccer match. They have been denied an early opener when Katrina Guillou’s strike used to be dominated out for offside.
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Switzerland’s top scorer and most-capped player, fired over from close range before Bachmann’s penalty put them ahead. Switzerland dominated the second half and deservedly doubled their lead through midfielder Piubel, who smashed home in the 64th minute after Davies-McDaniel denied Crnogorcevic and Sow.
“If it is a VAR determination – from my figuring out – it is intended to be a transparent and evident error,” Stajcic said of the penalty. “I didn’t see the replay. There’s no doubt they are the better team, and they should be. I was really proud of the spirit that our team showed. I think we showed that we can be competitive. To come to this level and play against players from Europe, against a team like that is miraculous.”
There have been numerous empty seats within the 30,000-capacity stadium, in spite of Fifa making a gift of 20,000 loose tickets for video games in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin amid considerations concerning the gradual tempo of gross sales in New Zealand.
After the primary spherical of Group A video games, Switzerland best the standings on purpose distinction forward of New Zealand, who disillusioned Norway 1-0 on Thursday.