Philippine Women’s National Football Team Triumphs Over Chinese Taipei in AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Sarina Bolden emerged as the star player as the Philippine women’s national football team secured a remarkable victory over the 38th-ranked Chinese Taipei. The match took place on Thursday, October 26th, at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, HBF Park.
Despite trailing by one goal in the second half, the 44th-ranked Filipinas rallied back with an outstanding display, scoring four consecutive goals to demolish the Chinese Taipei side.
Bolden was the hero of the match, contributing two goals to secure her 28th goal for the nation. In the first half, the Philippines struggled to find the back of the net but maintained possession and created scoring opportunities.
Both teams entered the halftime break in a stalemate before Hsu Yi-yun of Chinese Taipei opened the scoring just two minutes into the second half, putting the opponents in the lead.
However, the Filipinas swiftly responded, earning a penalty kick when Meryll Serrano was fouled by Zhuo Li-ping inside the box. Bolden confidently converted the penalty seven minutes later, equalizing the score.
Shortly after, Katrina Guillou, who had been called offside in the first half, redeemed herself by scoring a goal in the 61st minute off a Tahnai Annis pass. From that point onwards, the momentum shifted entirely in favor of the Philippines.
Playing with renewed confidence, Bolden struck again seven minutes before full time, capitalizing on a rebounded ball from a Quinley Quezada miss. This marked Bolden’s fifth goal in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, making her the highest scorer among the current Filipinas squad.
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcasa made a tactical substitution, bringing Chandler McDaniel into the game in place of Bolden. In the dying minutes of the match, McDaniel had an immediate impact, scoring her first international goal for the Philippines from an Angie Beard cross.
This victory significantly bolsters the Filipinas’ chances in the second round of the tournament. However, their true test awaits as they prepare to face Sam Kerr’s Australia in a highly anticipated match on Sunday, October 29th.
