The Philippines takes on No. 20-ranked Switzerland in its opening match in Group A in the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup at the Dunedin Stadium in New Zealand. The Philippines is coming in as a huge underdog in the group being the lowest ranked team at No. 46.
The Filipinas, however, is led by a very experienced and capable coach in Alen Stajcic, who once helped Australia reach the quarterfinals in the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada. The Philippines also has a lot of talent in its rosters with players that play club football internationally, the likes of Sarina Bolden, Jessika Cowart, Dominique Randle, Jacklyn Sawicki, skipper Tahnai Annis, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, Carleigh Frilles and Katrina Guillou.
The Philippines reached the semifinals in the AFC Asian Cup and won the AFF Women’s Championship.
The Philippines was very busy in its preparation for the World Cup. It played in the Southeast Asian Games, the Olympic qualifiers and exhibition matches with Wales, Iceland, Scotland and No. 3-ranked Sweden.
Switzerland is making just its second World Cup appearance after making it back in 2015. Led by coach Inka Grings, Switzerland will heavily rely on the talents of Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramona Bachmann and FC Barcelona winger Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic.
In 2023, Switzerland also faced Poland, China, Iceland, Zambia and Morocco in exhibition matches.
Host New Zealand was off to a hot start in Group A after beating No. 12-ranked Norway, 1-0, in an upset. Hannah Wilkinson scored New Zealand’s lone goal in the 48th minute.
The Philippines’ matches in the Fifa Women’s World Cup will be televised locally through CignalTV via One Sports and through its app Pilipinas Live.
“This is an exciting development for football fans in the Philippines with the Filipinas’ matches in the Fifa Women’s World Cup to be shown live on free television and other platforms of Cignal TV,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta in an article at the official PFF website.
“Cignal stepped up and made sure that the Filipinas’ historic campaign will be available in the Philippines. This is not just a historic moment for the Filipinas but for the entire country and having a broadcaster ensures that we all enjoy the moment together.” (EKA)