Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Filipinas ace striker Sarina Bolden just etched her name in the annals of Philippine football and sports history in general on Tuesday, July 25.
Proving she is a legitimate scorer even in the grandest of stage, Sarina Bolden delivered the Philippines first-ever World Cup football goal before 32,357 fans at the Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Bolden’s header in the 24th minute proved to be the lone goal in the Filipinas’ FIFA Women’s World Cup match against co-host New Zealand, as the Philippines gained its first-ever World Cup football win.
After scoring the Philippines’ breakthrough goal in the world meet which ultimately translated into a 1-0 win, Bolden said she feels overwhelmed with positive emotions.
“Just overwhelming happiness, gratitude, [just] speechless. It’s a lot of feelings right now. We put a lot of work into this and almost two years of sacrifice, commitment, dedication, work,” said Bolden who scored her 22nd international goal.
“Been a lot of ups, been a lot of downs to be able to achieve this goal of ours, to get a win, to score. I think we’re the first debutant to get a win, correct me if I’m wrong.”
Bolden made sure to credit everyone that made the monumental Philippine win possible, saying it takes a village to accomplish what the Filipinas did.
“It’s just a lot of feelings, but it takes everyone, it takes a village. And without Livs (Olivia McDaniel) for the stops at the end, the goal doesn’t matter. It really took everyone, I’m just so happy.”
Bolden and the world no. 46 Filipinas might have played against the home team and world no. 26 New Zealand boosted by easily around 30,000 fans, but in certain stretches of the match, Bolden said, it actually felt like a home game for them thanks to the Filipino fans who came in droves to cheer for the Filipinas.
“Absolutely. It’s New Zealand’s home stadium, there were probably way more Kiwis than there were Filipino supporters. But at times, it didn’t matter, I could feel that [Filipino] support,” said the 27-year-old striker.
“I thought we were at our home ground for a second. Just to hear the chants and just the overwhelming support. It was an amazing night for the Filipino football, and I was just happy to be a part of it. It’s amazing.”
Part of that Filipino cheering crowd was Bolden’s family and she’s just elated to make a football career milestone in front of them.
“They were and I just ran into the crowd a little bit just to show my love and they’ve been the longest the biggest supporters for me, my mom, my dad, I’ve got my uncles, cousins, my partner was here, too, and my friends,” said Bolden.
“Just so much personal support that I’m just happy I was able to do that in front of them let alone thousand of other Filipino supporters. Right now, it’s just a crazy feeling.”
With the triumph, Bolden and the Filipinas stayed in contention for a top two finish in Pool A, which merits a passage to the knockout stages.
The Philippines is at third place as of posting time with three points and a -1 goal difference on a 1-1 slate.
The Filipinas wrap up their pool play action against world no. 12 Norway, needing no less that a win to boost its chances of finishing top two in Pool A.
Bolden said that she hopes that the football gods would smile upon the Filipinas one more time in the crucial match.
“I think anything is possible for us, for sure. If it was ever up there, that’s just how football goes sometimes. I’m so glad it was in our favor,” said Bolden, whose Filipinas lost its World Cup debut game against world no. 20 Switzerland last Friday.
“[We have to] rest up and recover as quick as possible. Go to another tough game. It’s not gonna be easy at all. Tonight was not the prettiest of football, but it doesn’t matter. The Filipinos know we’re gonna fight to the end and I think we definitely showed that. Sometimes, that’s how the sport goes, sometimes even if you don’t play the prettiest, sometimes, you still get the win,” said Bolden, whose Filipinas got a huge break in the match after a VAR (video assistant review).
A Jacqui Hand header off a Hannah Wilkinson cross in the 68th minute got nullified after the review as Wilkinson was called for an offside violation.
“VAR (video assistant referee) was on our side tonight and hopefully, the next game a better showing and be able to connect more passes and stuff. But I have no doubt in my mind, I would do that [score] again against Norway.” — Niel Victor C. Masoy
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