A man raises a banner during a Women’s World Cup watch party at a shopping mall in Paranaque, Metro Manila on July 21, 2023, for the Women’s World Cup Group A soccer match between the Philippines and Switzerland in Dunedin. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)
Local sports fans tuned in on Friday to witness the historic debut of the Philippines women’s soccer team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Several vigils were held during the meeting after lunch which saw the Philippines lose 2-0 to Switzerlandincluding at Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Pioneer 300.
One Sports, however, encountered technical issues which caused those who opted to watch the match on free-to-air television to miss pre-match protocols and the first 30 minutes of the contest held in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The rest of the match was eventually shown without a hitch, with Paolo del Rosario calling play-by-play while former national team stalwart Martie Bautista provided the analysis.
Filipino players pose for a group photo before the Australia-New Zealand Women’s World Cup 2023 Group A soccer match between the Philippines and Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on July 21, 2023. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP)
Others have opted to use the Fifa+ app which allows all Women’s World Cup matches to be streamed for free, including next month’s final in Sydney, Australia.
Nonetheless, it was perhaps satisfying for everyone to see the historic match after weeks of worrying if a local broadcaster would provide the rights to broadcast the Philippines games on television and online.
Signal TV was able to secure the rights, and it was only announced earlier this week that the Philippines would have free broadcasts.
The Philippine rights were among the last secured by Fifa ahead of the World Cup opener last Thursday.
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