In front of home crowd, composed Filipinas come through vs Australia

The Philippine Women’s National Football Team opened their AFF Women’s Championships 2022 campaign with an important 1-0 victory over Australia, courtesy of a 59th minute goal by striker Sarina Bolden.

A raucous crowd in the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium was witness to this historic victory, which marked the first time the Philippines played at home since qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in January.

Australia might have fielded many members of their U23 squad to the tournament, but they certainly are no pushovers, as they showed by a hard challenge on Jessica Miclat seconds right after kickoff.

The Matildas certainly showed their pedigree and should arguably been ahead in the first half with numerous chances and with most of the possession of the ball.

But the Filipinas had their own chances as well, with a through ball to Eva Madarang leading to a cross from the right wing that was begging for someone to get on the end of.

Coach Alen Stajcic once again started with captain Hali Long and newcomer Jesse Cowart at the heart of the Filipinas’ defense, which meant that Dom Randle took the left back role.

Katrina Guillou and Sarina Bolden led the line for the Filipinas, but were mostly defended well by the taller and bigger Australians in the first 45 minutes.

The first half ended 0-0, and the second half started with the Filipinas’ seizing the initiative and taking the game to their more fancied opponents, with substitute Tahnai Annis at the heart of the attack.

In the end, it would be the team’s spiritual leader Bolden who would score the deciding goal in the 59th minute.

The Matildas may have a noticeable advantage in height, but it would be Bolden who rose the highest to power in a looping header over the Australian keeper to give the Filipinas the lead.

Sarina credits their recently concluded training camp in Europe for preparing the team.

“We just came back from playing and training in Europe and I think that really helped us develop our confidence,” said Bolden.

“We didn't let up, we had composure on the ball and it was just about the heart today.”

But overall, it was a total team effort for the Filipinas.

Quinley Quezada had an impressive game at left wing, showcasing her skill on the ball to get past many an Australian defender.

And Coach Stajcic might have found his optimal central midfield combination in Jackie Sawicki and Sara Eggesvik.

Showing composure on the ball together with excellent decision making, the Sawicki-Eggesvik axis in the center of the park could be one to consider for the coaching staff.

A visibly fit Olivia McDaniel was solid yet again between the goalposts, denying the Aussies from point blank range and keeping the Filipinas in the game.

The Ultras Filipinas were in full voice throughout the game, and it is hoped that more fans come out and support the team in the coming games.

As Coach Stajcic remarked in the post-match press conference, “This team really deserves a sellout.”

Bolden was full of praise as well to the fans who came out: “We definitely feed off their energy and the more people that come out, the better.”

It may be only a victory, but judging by how the players hugged Stajcic at full time, one can see how much this victory meant to the players and coaching staff.

And long after the final whistle, no one seemed to want it to end.

The players, away from home for so long, soaked up the well-deserved adulation from the crowd.

And the fans and family in the stands certainly didn’t want to leave, as they showered the team with applause and requests for autographs and selfies.

The good news is, there are four more group stage matches left, which means there are at least four more chances for the fans to show the support to the Filipinas, and four more chances to sing along to apl.de.ap’s “Bebot” after the final whistle.

It is an impressive start to the campaign for the Filipinas, and it is important that the team keep their focus and build on the three points going forward, starting with the game against Singapore in two days’ time.

The Filipinas next play Singapore on July 6, also at 7 p.m in Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

—JMB, GMA News