By Louie Encabo
Photo / Gelyn Dalusag
Team Philippines gave a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ performance in their FIFA World Cup debut against world number 20, Switzerland. The brave Filipinas put out a valiant effort in the opening half, but evidently ran out of steam and direction in the second half of their match in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The debutants repeatedly won possession through intelligent pressing and even threatened their more-fancied Swiss rivals several times in the opening minutes. In the 16th minute, Filipino supporters went into euphoria as forward Katrina Guillou rounded out the Swiss goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the net.
Their joy would be short-lived as the lineswoman had raised her flag – nullifying the goal for offside. Piling on to the Filipinas’ misery, an extremely dubious penalty was awarded after defender Jessica Cowart made contact with a Swiss player inside the box.
FIFA laws state that a penalty is awarded when a foul is made inside the box that is deemed “to be careless, reckless or using excessive force” (Law 12). Cowart was guilty of neither. Replays show the Filipinas defender clearly going for the ball before the Swiss player stuck her leg out in front of the ball, thereby making contact. Cowart’s attempt to win the ball was neither careless, reckless, or used excessive force.
Going down 0-1 at half-time might have dampened the Filipinas’ spirit, as they put out a contrasting performance after the restart. The Asian side looked visibly dejected, misplacing pass after pass, unable to get out of their own half as the Swiss side became the aggressors. In the 64th minute, a goal-line scramble led to Switzerland’s second goal, despite Philippine goalkeeper Olivia McDaniels’ stopping two prior shots on goal.
The goalkeeper was the obvious star performer for the Filipinas’ side, frustrating wave after wave of Swiss attack and displaying calm distribution of the ball from the box too. Defiant as they may have been, the Filipinas’ debut match in the FIFA World Cup would end in a 0-2 defeat.
However, it was an impressive showing for a Philippines side who are ranked 46th in the world against a Swiss team laden with players from Europe’s top club competitions, including FC Barcelona’s Ana Maria Crnogorčević and Aston Villa’s Alisha Lehmann. Despite being the clear underdogs of Group A, the debuting Filipinas put on a brave effort that they will certainly look to build on from.
Their performance might not have been enough to grab some valuable points, but it was enough for their kababayans to go home with their heads held high.
Onto the next one. Laban Filipinas!
WOMAN OF THE MATCH: Olivia McDaniel (GK)
