PH to face host New Zealand in Women's World Cup

Following the draw ceremony performed in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday, the grouping of the Filipinas has been determined.

The matchup between PWNT and Switzerland in Dunedin on July 21 and PWNT and the host on July 26 has also been scheduled.

The Filipinas play Norway in Auckland to finish the group stage.

The Philippine team is most familiar with New Zealand of all the teams in Group A because they played against them in a friendly match on September 6 in California, where the Filipinas lost to the Football Ferns, 2-1, after blowing a 1-0 lead.

Additionally, the Filipinas could escape the two strongest competitors by being placed in Group E alongside the two-time defending champion, the United States, and the 2019 runner-up Netherlands.

Also, PWNT stayed away from early games against Sweden, Women's Euro winner England, Germany, and France, rated second to fifth in the Coca-Cola women's world rankings.

The highest-rated team in Group A is Norway, which qualified for the 2019 Women's World Cup's knockout round. 

It is followed by Switzerland, ranked No. 21, and New Zealand, ranked No. 22.

The Philippines ranked 53rd, is making its World Cup debut after finishing fourth in the AFC Asian Women's Cup.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)