Switzerland have dominated Philippines to record a 2-0 win and jump to the top of Group A in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
A butter-soft penalty scored by Ramona Bachmann and a second-half finish from Seriana Piubel gave the Europeans the win their attacking play merited.
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Former Matildas’ coach Alen Stajcic’s side couldn’t keep pace with the Swiss, who rang rings around them on Friday evening in Dunedin.
Switzerland’s breakthrough goal – the first to be scored in the opening half this tournament – arrived fortuitously via the video assistant referee.
Philippines defender Jessika Cowart clipped midfielder Coumba Sow as both stretched to reach the ball in the penalty area and after a long review, Bachmann stepped up and sent Olivia McDaniel the wrong way with an emphatic spot-kick.
“This is definitely not a penalty in my opinion … I think that’s pretty harsh,” ex-Matildas star Heather Garriock said on Optus Sport.
MATCH CENTRE: All the stats that mattered from Switzerland’s 2-0 win over the Philippines
The goal spared the blushes of Swiss legend Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic after the Barcelona forward had spooned a simple effort over the bar just minutes earlier.
Inka Grings’ side continued their goal hunt at pace after the break, and were rewarded on 64 minutes.
After efforts from Sow and Crnogorcevic were well blocked by McDaniel, Seraina Piubel arrived into the box to score with a second follow-up.
The Philippines offered little resistance, going from the 27th minute to the 85th without attempting a shot.
The final shot-count read 19-3 in Switzerland’s favour, with possession and passing stats similarly one-sided.
The result means the Swiss leapfrog hosts New Zealand, who won 1-0 over Norway in the tournament’s opening game, to sit on top of Group A on goal difference.
To have any chance of progression, Stajcic’s side will need to take at least a point against New Zealand when the teams meet at a sold-out Wellington Stadium on Tuesday.
Spirited Philippines fans still gave their team a terrific reception on the final whistle of their first World Cup outing.
“We gave everything,” goalkeeper McDaniel said.
“Things didn’t go our way. All we can do is look forward to the next one … and bring it as hard as we can.”
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