PH falls to Switzerland in FIFA Women’s World Cup debut

The Philippines has finally played in a World Cup football game on Friday, July 21.

However, the national women's team did not get the result it wanted as the Filipinas fought hard but bowed to the more experienced and adept Switzerland team, 0-2, in the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand on Friday afternoon, July 21 (Manila time).

Defender Hali Moriah Long (5) of the Philippines shoots on goal during the 2023 Women’s World Cup group A football match between the Philippines and Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on Friday, July 21, 2023. PHOTO BY SANKA VIDANAGAMA / AFP

Things looked a bit auspicious for the Filipinas at the start as they managed to find the back of the net in the 19th minute through a Katrina Guillou attack.

The officials, however, nullified the goal after an offside violation by Guillou.

World No. 20 Switzerland would prove to be a juggernaut the rest of the way, seizing more ball possessions and putting immense pressure on world No. 46 Philippines with relentless attacks.

Veteran striker Ramona Bachmann delivered the first goal of the match in the 45th minute as she converted a penalty kick off a Jessica Cowart foul on Coumba Sow inside the box.

Sereina Piubel then made it 2-0 for Switzerland as she scored off a rebound play in the 64th minute of the match that drew 13,711 spectators.

Switzerland would remain in control for the remainder of the Group A contest, dousing every rally attempt by the Philippines.

The Swiss tallied 19 attempts at goal, nine of which were on target.

The Filipinas, on the other hand, only had three attempts at goal and none of them were on target, except for the waived goal.

Switzerland gained 65 percent of the ball possessions compared to the Philippines' 24 percent.

The Filipinas will next face host New Zealand on July 25 before wrapping up its group phase action against Norway on July 30.