Switzerland eased to a comfortable 2-0 win over the Philippines in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup Finals fixture at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on 21 July, a match in which the first-time finalists from Asia rarely threatened their European rivals in front of 13,711 fans. Inka Grings' charges fired their first shot in anger in the fourth minute, impressively performed midfielder Geraldine Reuteler lashing a twenty-yarder over the top after Olivia McDaniel had punched Ramona Bachmann's corner clear of the penalty area. The Philippines responded strongly, overlapping fullback Sofia Harrison sending a cross fizzing across the penalty area in the seventh minute as Alen Stajcic's team began positively, even to the point of having a sixteenth minute goal by Katrina Guillou ruled out by her having strayed offside in the build-up. That was as good as it got for the Philippines, however, the sight of the ball hitting the back of their net the cue for "Die Nati" to step up their game a tad and keep their opponents at arm's length. Just prior to the disallowed goal, Reuteler had gone close again, this time with an attempted volleyed lob on receipt of Seraina Piubel's lofted ball over the defence. McDaniel dealt with this in capable fashion, as was the case in the 25th minute when Reuteler unleashed an angled shot from the top of the penalty area, Ana Maria Crnogorcevic having worked an opening for her team-mate to exploit. A brilliant piece of control from Bachmann on the half-hour saw her deftly bring the ball down on the edge of the area then burst past an opponent to the by-line, from where she sent a cross flashing across Crnogorcevic's nose. Swiss captain Lie Waelti was racing in beyond her on the far post, but was thwarted in her bid to break the deadlock by McDaniel's smothering save. Switzerland cranked up the pressure again soon after, Jessika Cowart forced to head a Coumba Sow cross over her own crossbar before Piubel volleyed wide from the edge of the area. Then a super 37th minute move featuring Bachmann and Piubel culminated in Crnogorcevic skying a glorious chance to open the scoring from six yards out - a Swiss miss she'll want to forget! More goal threats soon followed, Crnogorcevic sending a header flying past the far post on receipt of a Bachmann free-kick, while a teasing Noelle Maritz cross from the left, intended for Crnogorcevic, was cut out by Angela Beard, who performed courageously for her new country - she's a former Matilda, but was able to change national identity due to her parentage, plus the fact her appearances for Australia had only come in friendly internationals. The wheels started to come off the Philippines

wagon as the half-time whistle loomed. Sow received the ball in the area with her back to goal, but her touch was poor. As she attempted to retrieve the situation, Cowart caught her from behind in her desire to avert the danger. While Togo-based referee Vincentia Amedome didn't see the incident, the all-seeing eyes of the Video Assistant Referee prompted a review and the subsequent awarding of a penalty, which Bachmann blasted home on the stroke of half-time to give Switzerland the lead. After the interval, the Swiss were all over their opponents like a rash. Bachmann escaped a second yellow card - she'd been booked in the eighth minute - for simulation, immediately after which a Sow shot was blocked by Jaclyn Sawicki. They continued to pile on the pressure, with a second goal seemingly inevitable. And after McDaniel had grabbed another opportunity for Sow - Eseosa Aigbogun and Reuteler had combined on the right - and Sawicki's desperate lunge had prevented a Piubel pass from reaching Bachmann, the inevitable occurred in the 64th minute. Reuteler stormed down the left before picking out Crnogorcevic with a cross which the striker swept goalwards. McDaniel produced a terrific block to deny her, and followed up by saving Sow's attempt to turn home the rebound. It was third time lucky for Switzerland, however, Piubel pouncing from close range to double their lead - 2-0. The game was up for the Philippines at this point, and the remainder of the match was punctuated by substitutions. There were further opportunities for the Swiss, however, the first of them materialising twelve minutes from time. Piubel and Reuteler combined to reward the overlapping run of substitute Sandrine Mauron down the right, from where she delivered a cross to the far post. Fellow replacement Alisha Lehmann was lurking with intent, but saw her header blocked by the covering figure of Meryll Serrano. Inside the final five minutes, both Mauron and Maritz - the latter after a delightful one-two with Lehmann - fired wide of the target, while in stoppage time Meriame Terchoun drew a save from McDaniel. 2-0 was a more than satisfactory return for Switzerland, however, for it means that if they beat Norway in their next match, they'll qualify for the last sixteen. Philippines:     O. McDaniel; Barker, Long, Cowart, Beard, Harrison (booked, 38); Quezada (Flanigan, 69), Sawicki, Eggesvik (Serrano, 69); Guillou, Bolden (C. McDaniel, 80) Switzerland:     Thalmann; Aigbogun, Buehler, Stierli, Maritz (booked, 83); Reuteler (Terchoun, 90), Sow, Waelti (Mauron, 75); Piubel (Riesen, 90), Crnogorcevic, Bachmann (booked, 8) (Lehmann, 69) Referee:     Vincentia Amedome (Togo)