It’s hard not to be pleased with the Philippine Women’s National Football Team’s recent success at the 19th Asian Games. Their journey to the quarterfinals has been an incredible one, filled with determination and moments of brilliance. (Featured Photo from One Sports / Paolo del Rosario)
The Challenge
The Filipinas knew what was at stake when they played Myanmar; they needed to win to guarantee their place in the quarter-final. While memories of the Filipinas’ 1-0 loss to Myanmar at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games still lingered, it was clear that they approached this game with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
Dominant Start
Right from the start, they launched relentless attacks. Sarina Bolden and Quinley Quezada created clear opportunities in the early moments, while Reina Bonta and Jessika Cowart put Myanmar’s goalkeeper, Myo Mya Mya Nyein, to the test.
The Breakthrough
In the 20th minute, Sarina Bolden made a critical play inside the penalty area, drawing a crucial foul and then successfully converting the penalty. This early lead not only boosted the Filipinas’ morale but also set the tone for the match that Myanmar found themselves restricted to sporadic counter-attacks, with very few clear-cut opportunities, a testament to the Filipinas’ resolute defending.
With her successful penalty kick, Bolden secured her position as the Filipinas’ all-time leading scorer. She then launched an unrelenting barrage of shots early in the second half, only with the woodwork denying her on multiple occasions.
The game took a decisive turn with Sara Eggesvik’s quickfire brace in just 2 minutes. Bolden skillfully headed the ball into Eggesvik’s path as she switched from scorer to provider, allowing her to score in the 60th minute. Just one minute later, Eggesvik finished a well-put-through pass from Meryll Serrano with calmness in front of the goal.
Coach Torcaso aptly encapsulated the moment as “absolutely amazing.” He added,
The girls executed a very good plan today. We set ourselves to score in this game, and we scored very well. We were excellent. I’m grateful to be part of this opportunity, and now we progress to the next stage, which is excellent
Coach Torcaso also rotated the squad after Eggesvik’s brace, with multiple substitutes providing valuable playing time to other players as they prepare for a challenging match ahead.
Decades in the Making
This historic victory propelled the Filipinas into the quarterfinals, where they will face Japan, a formidable opponent ranked 8th in the world. Japan, with aspirations to defend their Asian Games title, recently reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This encounter promises to be a test of skill and spirit. The Philippines had not seen such a historic success in the Asiad since the men’s team beat Japan in 1958 to progress out of a three-team group.
The knockout rounds of the 19th Asian Games will start today, Saturday, September 30, at 7:30 PM PST, with Japan playing against the Philippines, who are currently ranked 8th in the world and 1st in Asia. The Philippines are currently placed 44th in the world in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
Ven is a passionate advocate for women’s football in the Philippines, actively promoting its growth and development. Through her podcast, Futbol Brew, she engages in insightful one-on-one conversations with players and offers match previews and fan discussions, highlighting the journey of the Philippine Women’s National Team to their first-ever World Cup. Since 2013, her involvement in Pinay Futbol has revolved around spreading the love for the sport through social media and other events. Additionally, she’s an active supporter of the Women’s League and proudly serves as one of the incorporators of the Philippine Women’s Football Association
