At Lee Sports Village in Wigan, on the outskirts of Manchester, the Swiss women’s soccer team drew 2-2 against Portugal in the first game of Group C, which includes Sweden and the Netherlands. Facing an opponent who was the most costly of the lot, the Natty could consider themselves lucky that they did not accept defeat after they nevertheless started their dream. A draw (1-1) later in the evening between Sweden and the Netherlands leaves the four teams tied by one point.
Read also: The crazy story of the first official match of the Swiss women’s soccer team
The Swiss scored two goals in the first five minutes, the first by Kumba Su, with a dry low shot from 18 m (2, 1-0), and then by Rachel Kiwich, heading in the reception from an eccentric free kick, a powerful shot into the goal. The far post through Ramona Bachmann (5, 2-0). In both actions, coach Nielsen’s players showed a lot of desire, commitment and determination.
Crazy ending to the game
Then they made the mistake, intentionally or unconsciously, of living for their own good and leaving the ball to the Portuguese. The Swiss top players were tired of chasing the ball and the more mobile and technical players. Futile at first, the Lusitan domination became more and more dangerous since the start of the second half. Diana Gomez reduced the score first by resuming in two stages – with a header and then a kick – a corner kick (58, 2-1) and then Jessica Silva equalized by blocking a narrow cross from the right.
In the aftermath, Viola Calligaris came close to conceding a penalty, leading to Diana Silva’s breakthrough on the edge of the penalty area. Three times (68, 71, 78), goalkeeper Gael Tallman found herself alone against a Portuguese ball or header.
Both teams are looking for victory, the end of the match was very crazy with chances on both sides. Switzerland, who have not shot on target since their two goals, are finally getting serious again. Geraldine Reutler found the edge of the opponent’s goal in a twisted recovery (80) and Compa Su, at the conclusion of a nice team move in the area, watched his shot veered into the extreme with a Portuguese foot while the goalkeeper (from Servette-Chinois) looked like Ines Pereira had been hit (ranked 84).
But in turn, the incoming Telma Encarnaçao also shot at the base of the post Thalmann (87th position), lacked the firmness to cut across from the right (88) and was captured at the extreme by Calligaris (89th position).
“It’s my fault,” says the coach
On the RTS microphone, coach Nielsen made no secret of his disappointment. “In 2-0 we didn’t know how to dare, be brave, run the ball fast. We tried to play for a long time, but it was very difficult for Ramona Bachmann, who was alone in front, the Portuguese played better than us, they were going really fast and it was Their high pressure works well. While the Dane believes “the goals don’t come soon”, he admitted the changes came too late. “It was my fault, when I changed midfield, we took back control of the match. I should have done it sooner…”
Read also: Dissatisfied with their training facilities, Swiss footballers “move” ahead of the European Championship
Switzerland must now face Sweden, the Olympic vice-champion, in Tokyo, Wednesday, July 13, and then the Netherlands, the European champion, on Sunday, July 17. With three brilliant executive players (Calligaris, Reuteler, Aigbogun), Ramona Bachmann who didn’t weigh down the meeting and captain Leah who got out pulling her leg.
