In an unexpected turn of events, the Philippines Women’s Football team bested New Zealand in a thrilling 1-0 match to claim their first-ever Women’s World Cup win. This historic victory was made possible by Sarina Bolden’s impressive goal in the 24th minute of the match.
Bolden’s stellar performance, which included the first-ever World Cup goal for the Philippines, held spectators in awe. The first-half header from the California-born athlete was a landmark achievement in the country’s football history.
New Zealand, the co-host of the World Cup, attempted a comeback in the second half. However, their efforts fell short when Jacqui Hand’s goal was disallowed due to offside, as confirmed by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Despite mounting pressure from New Zealand, the Philippine team, making their World Cup debut, held firm. Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel’s astonishing diving save in the final minutes was a key element in securing the monumental victory, triggering scenes of euphoria and celebration.
This victory in Group A now paves the way for the Philippines to potentially advance to the knockout stages of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. This would mark another significant chapter in the history of the country’s football, much of whose team consists of US-born players.
One of the key contributors to this success is Bolden, a Santa Clara, California native who currently plays for Western Sydney Wanderers in the Australian A-League. Despite never having visited the Philippines prior to joining the national team, Bolden has quickly become one of its brightest stars.
In a recent interview with CNN, Bolden shared her excitement and anticipation for the future of football in the Philippines. Despite football not being the primary sport in the country, she believes that the team’s World Cup appearance and subsequent successes will inspire increased interest in the sport.
With their World Cup qualification and recent victories already sparking increased enthusiasm and awareness for football in the Philippines, Bolden expressed optimism about the sport’s growth in the country. This sentiment was captured in a story she shared, wherein her mother spontaneously informed a Filipino coworker about the national team’s participation in this year’s Women’s World Cup.
