The Philippine national women’s football team. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
There’s no question that the Philippine women’s football team’s debut appearance in the Fifa Women’s World Cup won’t be a stroll in the park.
With the quality of opponents at hand, the Filipinas are surely trying to map out something to produce unlikely results against two tough European sides and the tournament co-host they already have an idea of how to approach.
Here’s some information about the teams coach Alen Stajcic and his squad will face in Group A of the biggest showpiece for women’s football.
SWITZERLAND VS PHILIPPINES
Switzerland’s women football team players pose prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Qualifier group G football match between Switzerland and Moldova at Stade de la Tuiliere Stadium in Lausanne on September 6, 2022. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Date: July 21
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Philippine time (4 p.m. local time)
WORLD CUP APPEARANCES
It is only the La Nati’s second World Cup appearance, eight years after making its debut in Canada where they lost to the host country in the round-of-16.
HOW DID SWITZERLAND QUALIFY?
Switzerland reached the second round of the European qualification playoffs after placing second in Group G with eight wins, one draw and one loss for 21 points, four behind group winner Italy.
The World Cup spot was secured with a 2-1 victory over Wales in extra time last October, with Fabienne Humm scoring the winner moments before a penalty shootout could take place.
RECENT FIXTURES
Feb. 17, 2023 (friendly)— Poland (0-0 draw)
Feb. 21, 2023 (friendly) — Poland (1-1 draw)
April 6, 2023 (friendly) — China (0-0 draw)
April 11, 2023 (friendly) — Iceland (2-1 loss)
June 30, 2023 (friendly) — Zambia (3-3 draw)
July 5, 2023 (friendly) — Morocco (0-0 draw)
ODDS TO WIN WORLD CUP
Bookmakers see Switzerland getting out of the group stage, but has a +25,000 odds of winning the whole thing.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, who plays for top Spanish side FC Barcelona, holds the record for most caps (133) and goals (67) by a Swiss women’s player, and has a unique role of being a capable scorer who can also be tasked to be placed in the back as a defender.
Another prominent player for Switzerland is Alisha Lehmann, the Aston Villa striker who already has six goals in her national team account. Off the pitch, Lehmann has been described as the “most followed footballer” on social media with 14 million on Instagram.
NEW ZEALAND VS PHILIPPINES
New Zealand’s team poses for a group photo before the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park in Auckland on July 20, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
Date: July 25
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. Philippine time (4:30 p.m. local time)
WORLD CUP APPEARANCES
The Football Ferns will make their sixth World Cup appearance, but have not produced a single victory during their previous appearances in 1991, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
HOW DID NEW ZEALAND QUALIFY?
New Zealand earned a direct slot to the big event by virtue of sharing the hosting rights with Australia. The joint bid was selected in August 2020, defeating Colombia after a voting procedure done by the Fifa Council.
RECENT FIXTURES
Jan. 18, 2023 (friendly) — United States (4-0 loss)
Jan. 21, 2023 (friendly) — United States (5-0 loss)
Feb. 17, 2023 (friendly) — Portugal (5-0 loss)
Feb. 20, 2023 (friendly) — Argentina (2-0 loss)
Feb. 23, 2023 (friendly) — Argentina (1-0 loss)
April 7, 2023 (friendly) — Turkey (1-1 draw)
April 11, 2023 (friendly) — Nigeria (3-0 loss)
July 10, 2023 (friendly) — Vietnam (2-0 win)
July 14, 2023 (friendly) — Italy (1-0 loss)
ODDS TO WIN THE WORLD CUP
New Zealand is eager to get past the group stage for the first time in history, but it will need to get results against Norway and Switzerland and also overcome a +15,000 odds of lifting the World Cup trophy.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
American-born Ali Riley is the most prominent player for the Football Ferns with 152 caps and having played in four World Cups. The defender who plays for Los Angeles-based side Angel City scored the winner when New Zealand defeated the Philippines in last year’s friendly.
Ria Percival, the English born holding midfielder for Tottenham, is also one of the longest-tenured New Zealand player, having donned the team’s colors since 2006 while striker Hannah Wilkinson has scored 28 times.
NORWAY VS PHILIPPINES
Norway players pose for a group photo during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park in Auckland on July 20, 2023. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)
Date: July 30, 2023
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Philippine time (6 p.m. local time)
WORLD CUP APPEARANCES
Norway will play its ninth World Cup and is one of the tournament’s former champions when it was victorious in the 1995 edition held in Sweden. The last World Cup in 2019 witnessed The Grasshoppers reach the quarterfinals but lost 3-0 to England.
HOW DID NORWAY QUALIFY?
Norway secured direct entry to the World Cup after topping Group F of the European qualifiers by posting nine wins and one draw for 28 points, six clear of runner-up Belgium. Carolina Graham Hansen, Elisabeth Terland, Frida Maanum and Ada Hegerberg combined for 17 of the 47 goals scored during the qualification phase.
RECENT FIXTURES
Feb. 15, 2023 (Tournoi de France) — Uruguay (1-0 win)
Feb. 18, 2023 (Tournoi de France) — Denmark (2-0 loss)
Feb. 21, 2023 (Tournoi de France) — France (0-0 draw)
April 6, 2023 (friendly) — Spain (4-2 loss)
Apri1 11, 2023 (friendly) — Sweden (3-3 draw)
April 16, 2023 (unofficial) — Portugal (2-1 loss)
ODDS TO WIN THE WORLD CUP
Norway is among the favorites to win the World Cup, with odds of +4,000 and expectations are that it will end up winning the group.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hegerberg will be making her World Cup return after missing the 2019 edition, carrying impressive credentials such as being the first to win the female version of the Ballon d’Or. The striker for French club Lyon has produced 43 goals in 76 appearances in a Norwegian shirt.
Graham Hansen, who plays for Barcelona has 44 for Norway and is expected to be centurion during the World Cup with 97 appearances in her resume while Maanum has been one of Norway’s prominent player while doing club duties for Arsenal.
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