Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) – The Philippine women’s football team scored a stunning 1-0 victory against Australia to open its AFF Women’s Championship 2022 campaign on a rousing note on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Sarina Bolden made the breakthrough goal for the Filipinas in the 59th minute after she banked in a well-defended header from the right flank off an Eva Madarang throw-in.
Bolden almost doubled the Filipinas’ lead in the 77th minute but her shot from a running attack went high beyond the goal box.
The Filipinas notched three points to share the lead in Group A of the regional tournament, much to the delight of the home crowd amid strong rains in the historic sports venue.
“We beat one of the top teams in the world. It’s truly amazing,” said Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic after the game.
Both teams engaged in a tactical game in the first half, but the Filipinas became more aggressive in the early moments of the second half, looking for the golden opportunity.
Australia, who sent most of its under-23 players to the AFF tournament, had a chance to tie the game in the 71st minute but Filipina goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel made two straight saves on a strike by Sheridan Gallagher and a follow-up attempt by an Australian defender.
The Matildas also got a free kick attempt in the 90th minute, but they missed their shot.
It was a morale-boosting victory for the Filipinas, who fell 0-4 against Australia in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The Philippine football team clinched its historic maiden berth for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the continental meet.
“We showed here how much we improved… but at this point right now, we still need to work harder to improve to become a force in the World Cup. This is a good building block,” Stajcic explained the significance of their victory.
The Filipinas will seek to clinch their second win in the AFF tilt against Singapore on Wednesday.
