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.
For the former Duisburg player Grings, it was the first victory as a Swiss coach after a good six months in office. 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′).
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.
