Pia Sundhage’s greatest problem simply bought greater. The Switzerland coach was disenchanted watching her workforce drop its opening match, 2-1, towards Norway within the Ladies’s European Championship.
Ada Hegerberg led Norway’s revival, canceling Nadine Riesen’s opener by equalizing 4 minutes earlier than she pressured an personal purpose from Julia Stierli. A missed penalty wasn’t even a setback for Hegerberg as her workforce claimed three competitors factors and left the hosts with none in Group A.
For Sundhage, the frustration of defeat sat deep after her workforce had executed a lot proper in entrance of a near-capacity crowd at St. Jakob-Park, the place the overwhelming majority had been Swiss followers who had been something however impartial.
The scene had apparently been set for a triumphant begin for the house workforce, however it wasn’t to be.
“There are such a lot of issues taking place behind the scenes, excessive efficiency coaches, medical employees, social issues and so forth, particular person talks. And we felt ready in the present day,” Sundhage mentioned. “That’s why I’m slightly bit … It may have been such a giant distinction if we had tied the sport, which we had an opportunity to do.”
Geraldine Reuteler rattled the crossbar with a shot within the first half. Then she conceded the penalty within the second. Switzerland may need had a penalty too if VAR hadn’t intervened and located an offside name.
Switzerland subsequent faces Iceland, which misplaced its opening sport 1-0 to Finland.
“Tomorrow we’re going to work once more and produce out the very best efficiency within the workforce and provides Iceland a troublesome sport,” Sundhage mentioned. “I can promise you that.”
Even throughout her post-game information convention, the two-time Olympic title-winning coach was reflecting on the optimistic modifications she has seen since taking the Switzerland job a yr in the past.
“I’ve by no means seen that type of locker room beforehand,” she mentioned of her gamers’ readiness for his or her opening sport. “Earlier than we left the lodge and so forth, step-by-step. And the very best half is it’s completely different gamers. They use their voice.”
Sundhage mentioned she advised her gamers to make use of their phrases, their language and even their physique language to precise themselves after the defeat.
“As a result of we nonetheless have an opportunity to play the quarterfinals. And we begin with Iceland, and if we play a very good sport, then we put ourselves in a great spot as effectively,” she mentioned. “So, be answerable for what you’re saying, what you do, and the way you behave, as a result of that would be the smartest thing for the Swiss nationwide workforce and the Swiss individuals.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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