The match
Neither of these sides will lack for motivation as they begin their FIFA Women’s World Cup™ adventure Down Under.
The Philippines are making history at Australia & New Zealand 2023 and will be aiming to showcase just how much they have improved under coach Alen Stajcic. Switzerland, for their part, have plenty to prove after missing out on the last Women’s World Cup and suffering a disappointing group-stage exit at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. With matches to come against group favourites Norway and tournament co-hosts New Zealand, a strong start will be vital to their hopes.
Team news
Swiss supporters will be relieved to hear that captain Lia Walti, who was stretchered off with injury in the Women’s Super League in May against Everton, played a full part in training in Dunedin on Monday. The Filipinas are also expected to be at full strength.
Players to watch
Angela Beard
If the Philippines are to make an impact at their first FIFA tournament at any age group or gender, a strong defensive showing is sure to be essential. Angela Beard, who switched allegiances from Australia to join up with Stajcic’s team, will be a vital figure at the back. Quinley Quezada, the team’s all-time leading scorer, has heaped praise on the 25-year-old defender. “With Ange coming in, she’s really helped with communication, with aggressiveness,” the experienced forward has said of Beard. “As a team, we’re very grateful to have her finally joining the team.”
Ramona Bachmann
The veteran Paris Saint-Germain striker, who has enjoyed notable successes in England, France and Germany, will once again be a key figure for the Swiss. The 32-year-old’s experience of playing, and scoring goals, at the game’s elite level will be crucial as Inka Grings’ side attempt to make a flying start in Group A.
Facts and figures
- Switzerland are appearing in their second Women’s World Cup, and first since Canada 2015. The Philippines are making history with their maiden appearance at a World Cup tournament.
- Switzerland’s only World Cup win was a 10-1 defeat of Ecuador, when Fabienne Humm scored a five-minute hat-trick. It remains the fastest treble in the tournament’s history.
- The Philippines will play Switzerland and Norway for the first time at this tournament.
- Switzerland are aiming to reach the Round of 16 for a second time, after making it out of the group stage in 2015.
Quotes
“It’s been a meteoric sort of rise for the team. The challenge for us is to somehow maintain and sustain that improvement, not be happy with where we got to. We’re going to need a little bit of luck. We’re going to have to make our luck, we’re going to have to give ourselves every possible chance in our preparation.”
Alen Stajcic, Philippines coach
“It is the Philippines’ first World Cup but we won’t underestimate them. They are our first opponents and we want to be dominant and get into a flow, shake off any nervousness. But they’re not in the World Cup because they won the lottery, and we will need to be vigilant.”
Inka Grings, Switzerland coach
