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.
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’ defence hung on. McDaniel held her own, making several key first-half saves – only allowing Bachmann’s late penalty.
