DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) — Ramona Bachmann drilled the ball into the left side of the net on a penalty kick moments before halftime to help Switzerland to a 2-0 win over Philippines on Friday in the Women’s World Cup opener for both teams.
Switzerland’s Seraina Piubel added a second-half goal, scoring on the rebound from a missed shot by Coumba Sow that ricocheted off Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
The Group A encounter was the first game inside Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, the tournament’s only indoor venue. The crowd’s cheers echoed around the walls of the roughly half-full stadium, with an attendance of 13,711 in a venue that can fit over 30,000.
Huynh Nhu started playing soccer with a coconut-like fruit for a ball. On Saturday, she will captain the Vietnam women against the United States in the Women’s World Cup.
Doug Emhoff, the husband of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, met with former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Friday to discuss ways to combat online hate and extremism.
Zambia’s coach is under investigation for sexual assault, its star player got banned from a key African tournament and at 77th the team has the lowest ranking of any at the Women’s World Cup.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps says Nike’s decision to not sell her jerseys during the Women’s World Cup is “hugely disappointing.”
Philippines forward Katrina Guillou appeared to score a goal in the 15th minute, but it was waived off by an offside call.
Switzerland dominated offensively, outshooting the Philippines 17-3, but the Filipinas’ defense hung on. McDaniel held her own, making several key first-half saves –- only allowing Bachmann’s late penalty.
KEY MOMENT
Officials made the key penalty call against the Philippines in the waning moments of the first half, drawing a chorus of boos from Philippines fans. Switzerland’s Sow slid for the ball in the Philippines’ penalty area and, as she went down, she was kicked by Jessika Cowart.
McDaniel went the wrong way on Bachmann’s penalty.
WHY IT MATTERS
With the victory, Switzerland moves into a tie for first place in Group A with New Zealand, and improved its chances of moving on to the round of 16. The Philippines played gamely in their Women’s World Cup debut but face a hard climb to get into the knock-out stage of the tournament.
WHAT’S NEXT
Switzerland will face Norway, which lost in an upset to New Zealand, in its second group stage match, in Hamilton. The Philippines will face an energized New Zealand in Wellington. Both matches are Tuesday.
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Ellen McIntyre is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
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AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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