The second fixture to be played in Group A of the 2023 Women’s World Cup is between Philippines W and Switzerland W.
The game will take place on the 21st of July at the Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza. The other two teams in the group are New Zealand and Norway.
1️⃣ 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢 The average age of the squad is 24.8 years old with the youngest player on the team--goalkeeper @JotaKaiya--at 17 years old.🔵🔴🟡 #LabanFilipinas #ParaSaBayan #WinTheMoment #FilipinasTayo #FWWC2023 pic.twitter.com/5gj6omLfr8— Philippine WNT ⚽ (@PilipinasWNFT) July 20, 2023
1️⃣ 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢 The average age of the squad is 24.8 years old with the youngest player on the team--goalkeeper @JotaKaiya--at 17 years old.🔵🔴🟡 #LabanFilipinas #ParaSaBayan #WinTheMoment #FilipinasTayo #FWWC2023 pic.twitter.com/5gj6omLfr8
Philippines W come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win against Vietnam W in the Southeast Asian Games in May.
Philippines W opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 13th minute but conceded the equaliser 4 minutes before half time. Philippines W were the superior team in the second half and scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute.
Philippines W finished on 6 points in the group along with Vietnam and Myanmar but missed out on the semi-final because of goal difference.
Trends show Philippines W have won 5 of their 6 most recent fixtures in all competitions. Three of the 5 wins came in Olympic Games qualifying and Philippines W beat Pakistan and Hong Kong at home plus Tajikistan away.
In terms of the Women’s World Cup, this is the first time Philippines W will participate in the tournament.
The 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup served as the World Cup qualifying tournament for Philippines W and they reached the semi-final of the event, finishing in fourth place and that was good enough to qualify.
Switzerland W were held in their final friendly match before the 2023 Women’s World Cup by Morocco. Neither team could make the breakthrough in the match and Switzerland W will hope they can take their chances in-front of goal when it matters most.
The draw with Morocco means Switzerland W have failed to win any of their 7 most recent fixtures, all of which have been friendlies. There have been draws against Poland (twice), China PR, and Zambia plus defeats against Denmark and Iceland.
The Swiss qualified for this competition by finishing second in their qualifying group behind Italy.
That took them into a playoff match against Wales W and Switzerland W came out on top, scoring the winning goal in the 121st minute of extra time.
This will be the second time Switzerland W have played at the Women’s World Cup. They participated in the 2015 tournament, winning one and losing 3 of their matches.
Team news and Philippines W should have a fully fit squad. It will be interesting to see if defender Angela Beard makes her debut for Philippines W having previously represented Australia W at youth level.
Switzerland W should also be at full strength and that could mean an attacking trio of Ramona Bachmann, Alisha Lehmann, and Seraina Piubel.
The Swiss need a win following a run of friendlies without a victory and this could be the perfect match. We expect to see Switzerland W comfortably take maximum points from this game, keeping a clean sheet in the process.