The German coach Inka Grings made a successful start to the World Cup for women with Switzerland. The 44-year-old former national team player made a well-deserved 2-0 (1-0) win against the Philippines with her selection on Friday in Dunedin. Ex-Wolfsburg player Ramona Bachmann (45th minute / penalty kick) and Seraina Piubel (64th) scored at the start of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Spain lived up to their role as favorites from the start. Initially without world footballer Alexia Putellas, who came on late after tearing her cruciate ligament, the quarter-finalist of the European Championship gave Costa Rica no chance in a 3-0 (3-0) win in Wellington. Goals from Valeria del Campo (21’/own goal), Aitana Bonmati (23′) and Esther Gonzalez (27′) decided the game within six minutes. The Spaniards missed further chances, Jennifer Hermoso failed with a penalty kick on goalkeeper Daniela Solera (34th).
For the former Duisburg player Grings, it was the first victory as a Swiss coach after a good six months in office. “There was a lot of tension in the dressing room. We were still very determined from the first minute,” said Grings on ZDF. “It’s just good, a game like that. You can sleep well with the 2-0 win.”
The 96-time national player was the first woman in Germany to train a men’s regional league with SV Straelen. Switzerland had to survive a moment of shock in the early stages when the Philippines’ supposed 1-0 lead was ruled out due to an offside position (16′). Switzerland’s next opponent on Tuesday is Norway, who are already under pressure after losing 1-0 to hosts New Zealand.
Previously, Olympic champion Canada had made a false start to the tournament. The favorites were held to a 0-0 draw against eleven-time African champions Nigeria in Melbourne. Canada’s record player Christine Sinclair failed with a penalty kick on goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (50th). For the 40-year-old offensive player it would have been the 191st goal in her sixth World Cup participation in her 324th international match. In Group B, Canada are now joined by Nigeria behind hosts Australia, who beat Ireland 1-0.
