Sara Eggesvik’s Brace Leads Philippine Women’s National Football Team to Victory at Asian Games
In a thrilling match on Thursday night, the Philippine women’s national football team secured a spot in the knockout quarterfinals round of the 19th Asian Games by defeating Myanmar. Sara Eggesvik proved to be the star of the game with two goals in the second half. The match took place at the Wenzhou Sports Centre Stadium in China.
After suffering a 5-1 loss to South Korea a few days earlier, the Filipinas, ranked 44th in the world, were on the verge of elimination. Only three second-best placed teams would progress to the next round of the Asiad. However, a win against Myanmar was all they needed, especially after Japan’s dominant 7-0 victory over Vietnam in Group D.
The victory against Myanmar was also a form of redemption for the Philippines, as they were knocked off the Southeast Asian Games podium by the same team last May.
The scoring started early in the match, with Sarina Bolden opening the scoring for the third time in the group stage. Bolden converted a penalty kick in the 19th minute after being fouled inside the box. Unlike their previous matches, this goal had significant meaning as Myanmar failed to find the equalizer, giving the Filipinas a halftime lead.
In the second half, the Filipinas dominated possession to create more scoring opportunities and put pressure on Myanmar. Bolden attempted to score a brace on multiple occasions, but the Myanmar goalkeeper, Nyein Myo Mya Mya, thwarted their efforts.
However, in the 60th minute, Bolden provided a brilliant header pass to Sara Eggesvik, who slotted the ball past the Myanmar goalkeeper to double the lead. Just a minute later, Eggesvik scored her second goal with an impressive left-footed shot, assisted by Meryll Serrano, giving the Filipinas a convincing advantage.
The Philippines had several more chances to add to their score as they maintained control of the match, resulting in Olivia McDaniel securing a clean sheet for the first time in the tournament.
Looking ahead, the challenge continues for the Filipinas as they face Japan in the quarterfinals on Saturday, September 30.
