Philippines’ forward #21 Katrina Guillou celebrates scoring before her goal was ruled out for offside during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match between the Philippines and Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on July 21, 2023. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP)
Coach Alen Stajcic felt the disallowed opening goal of Katrina Guillou would have changed the complexion of the Philippines’ debut match against fancied Switzerland in the Fifa Women’s World Cup that ended in a 2-0 defeat on Friday in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The Filipinas appeared to have pulled off a dream start 15 minutes after kickoff off Guillou’s right-footed strike but the goal was nullified after the offside flag was raised, cutting short the striker’s celebration.
“Of course it does,” Stajcic said in the post-match press conference. “We’ll be one-nil up, we’re leading and it will be a little bit more scoreboard pressure for them. And I think if you’re up at halftime, there’s gonna be more pressure on them than us.
“They’re expected to win and for them to get out of the group, they have to beat us. They’re experienced players and it would put a little bit more pressure on them,” the Filipinas mentor added.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group A – Philippines v Switzerland – Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand – July 21, 2023 Philippines’ Katrina Guillou celebrates scoring a disallowed goal REUTERS/Molly Darlington
Switzerland eventually got to take the lead when a penalty was awarded through VAR following Jessika Cowart’s foul while challenging Coumba Sow for possession of the ball in the box.
Ramona Bachmann scored from the spot a minute before the first-half stoppage time, before Switzerland doubled the lead past the hour mark through a rebound by Seraina Piubel.
“[Switzerland] earned their chances through good play,” Stajcic said. “Maybe they have some good luck. But in the end, they made their own luck.”
A goal would have been the 11th in Guillou’s international career, and the distinction of being a trivia question as the first Filipino player to score in the World Cup.