Breaking down the Filipinas' World Cup Debut

The Filipinas may have lost 2-0 to Switzerland, but they certainly gave a good account of themselves in what was the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIFA Women's World Cup

As emotions have slowly settled after the momentous occasion, this will be an attempt to break down what happened in the match.

Pre-Match

A significant part of trying to understand a football match lies in the lineups, and there were some speculations once the historic starting XI was released.

Specifically, it was the fact that both our left-backs were starting, namely long-time player Sofia Harrison and new arrival Angela Beard. Many presumed that in the usual 4-4-2, one of them will be playing as a left midfielder. But who?

Turns out, Coach Alen Stajcic was going for a 5-3-2 base shape, and perhaps no one expected Beard to start in central defense, in a back 3 alongside Cowart and Long, with Harrison as the left wingback.

Jaclyn Sawicki, Beard’s teammate at Western United, was at the heart of midfield, flanked by Eggesvik and Quezada. Bolden started up front, partnered by Guillou.

Structure

Filipinas' average positions in the match against Switzerland.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sofascore

The 5-3-2 shape was seen mostly in the defensive end, but Coach Alen changed things up in different phases of the game.

Diagram of the Filipinas' shapes at different phases:

active defending (left), defending against the buildup (center), and in possession (right).

Off the ball, when the Swiss were building up, the Filipinas set up a midblock, with a fairly high backline and the front two staying low instead of pressing high. Sometimes, the shape morphed to a more common 4-4-2 (with either Barker moved to the right wing or Cowart pushing into midfield). The wide midfielders often tuck in, still keeping this shape once the ball is won.

Stajcic typically uses a 4-4-2, but has adjusted to a 5-at-the-back (often 5-3-2) shape at times, reserved mainly for strong opposition, as was seen sometimes in the Pinatar Cup.

The Early Stages

The 20th ranked La Nati was expected to have the advantage, but the Filipinas started strongly, and did well to negate threats early on.

And that could be attributed to their off-the-ball work. Bolden and Guillou did a great job marking their midfielder Wälti out, with the midfield trio denying opposing forwards the central and half-attacking spaces.

The Filipinas' narrow shape constricted the middle. La Nati's options: use your wide player, or force through the center

This would force the Swiss wide in the buildup, or have a forward drop deep. The European side had their chances, but they were far from ideal and the Filipinas had them dealt with.

The Disallowed Goal

With the great work being done off the ball, the Filipinas eventually regained possession, and in some cases created chances.

This Philippines side has always weaponized the counter-attack, with players having a good eye for a direct pass.

And that was exactly what happened in the 16th minute, where a well-weighted pass from Beard found Guillou’s run, who then put the ball past the rushing keeper and into the back of the net. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed for offside.

The Penalty

Still, the Filipinas held tight, and were cruising towards half-time with a 0-0 scoreline.

Until the dagger came for Switzerland. There was no shortage of controversy surrounding the penalty call, not helped by the VAR review where many believed it to be a soft call. But the decision stood, and Ramona Bachmann scored to give them the lead on the brink of half-time.

But what’s more of interest to me is how we got to that point. After all, there wouldn’t have been a penalty shout if the Swiss didn’t break through.

The Filipinas had dealt with all the attacks so far, but the Swiss players were starting to mix things up, with the likes of playmaker Bachmann, and forwards Sow and Crnogorcevic either dropping deep or making late runs.

With the defensive coverage, these key players were often covered well centrally. Sometimes, they even attract two defenders. But that leaves opponents open, especially in the wide areas.

The Swiss sequence that led to the penalty.

PHOTO CREDIT: Opta Analyst

Piubel (17) had space to cross, with skipper Hali Long having to close down. Sow (11) did well to hold the ball up, attracting defenders, and then the “foul”.

The Double Save

At the start of the second half, the Swiss evidently changed their approach. From a slow buildup-heavy style, they transitioned into a more aggresive high pressing game.

And while the Filipinas kept good coverage of the middle, the wide spaces again became an issue.

The Swiss passing sequence for their second goal.

PHOTO CREDIT: Opta Analyst

The ball was played to Maritz (5) at left-back, then to Bachmann (10) who has dropped to the left flank. Alicia Barker, the Filipinas’ widest player down the right, seemed to have her covered.

Bachmann played a through pass down the touchline to Reuteler (6), who pulled Hali Long out of position, and then cut inside for what could’ve been an easy goal for forward Crnogorcevic. Olivia McDaniel pulled two saves in succession, but eventually, Piubel’s finish doubled the lead for La Nati.

The Swiss pretty much coasted throughout the rest of the match, continuing to threaten on a number of occasions.

The Aftermath

Essentially, the match showed the difference in quality between the 46th ranked Filipinas and the 20th ranked La Nati: their players have regular top-level experience playing for major European clubs. That’s why their key players had to be doubled up at times.

PHOTO CREDIT: Futbol Brew

But there were shining moments, for sure. Moments that further prove the Filipinas’ willingness to work and fight against the odds.

PHOTO CREDIT: Opta Analyst

The double save from McDaniel (among all of her saves in that match). Every last-ditch tackle and block, every duel. Sawicki’s 12.08 km covered to lead all players in the match. Beard’s pass to Guillou’s disallowed goal.

Additionally, this team is very organized, earning plaudits from opponents (most recently, Inka Grings of Switzerland). That has brought them to this level, and at this point, they need to continue doing so to prove their worth at such a high level.

PHOTO CREDIT: Futbol Brew

Such is the beauty in this Filipinas side. There is no shortage of passion and energy, under the framework of a very organized system. And despite a gap in quality, our countrymen on the pitch hung around with the best of them.

Despite being the underdogs, the Filipinas fought with passion and with pride. And as fans, that’s all we could ask for.