In theory, the Swiss women's team (ranked 20th in the world ) has an easy opening match in Group A of the 2023 Women's World Cup finals when the opponent is only the rookie Philippines (46th in the world). On the contrary, like the Vietnamese women's team, participating in the 2023 Women's World Cup finals is already a historic moment for Philippine women's football.

Despite being underestimated, the Philippine women's team, in their first participation in the world's largest women's football festival, entered the match with confidence. In the 16th minute, VAR even denied the Philippines' historic goal. Accordingly, Katrina Guillou had put the ball into the Swiss net, but referee Vincentia Amedome, after consulting VAR, determined that Katrina Guillou had been offside before.

Ramona Bachmann (No. 10) opened the scoring for Switzerland from the penalty spot. Photo: ABC News

Towards the end of the half, the Swiss women's team increased pressure on the Philippines women's goal.

In the 45+1 minute, the referee awarded a penalty to the Swiss women's team after a VAR check showed that Macayan Cowart of the Philippines fouled Coumba Louisa Sow in the penalty area. On the 11m mark, Ramona Bachmann did not miss the opportunity to score the opening goal of the match.

In the second half, the advantage of leading the score helped the girls from Central Europe continue to put pressure on the field of the Southeast Asian representative. Compared to the first 45 minutes, the second half mainly rolled on the field of the Philippines.

Seraina Piubel scored the winning goal for the Swiss women's team. Photo: ABC News

In the 64th minute, from an attack on the left wing, goalkeeper Davies McDaniel excellently blocked two consecutive shots from the Swiss women's team, but it was Seraina Piubel's close-range shot that gave coach Inka Grings and her team the second goal.

On the contrary, the decline in physical strength in the second half made the Philippine female players unable to maintain their ability to cling.

In the end, Switzerland won 2-0 against the Philippines.

* Previously, the Nigerian women's team caused a big surprise when they held the Canadian women's team (ranked 7th in the world) to a goalless draw in the opening match of Group B of the 2023 Women's World Cup. Notably, Deborah Ajibola Abiodun of Nigeria received a direct red card for kicking Ashley Lawrence in the 90+7 minute.

* At 2:30 p.m. on July 21, the 2023 Women's World Cup finals will feature a match between Spain and Costa Rica in Group C.

Thai Ha

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