Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ first goal in the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023. –FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ first-ever goal in the Fifa Women’s World Cup which came halfway in the first half of the match against New Zealand here.
The landmark moment happened in the 24th minute when Sara Eggesvik sent a pass towards a rushing Bolden, who headed the ball initially deflected by goalkeeper Victoria Esson before hitting the net, sparking incredible scenes at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Filipino fans, who came to fill the seat of the 35,000-seat venue, can be heard cheering while Bolden let all out her emotions after producing a 22nd international goal.
The scoreline stood until halftime before the Philippines came away with the 1-0 win over New Zealand for the country’s first win in the World Cup.
Philippines’ forward #07 Sarina Bolden (L) celebrates scoring her team’s first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)
It’s a feat the Philippines was denied the last time against Switzerland when Katrina Guillou’s strike 15 minutes into the contest was nullified because of an offside.
That canceled goal, Bolden said, had made the team hungrier to find that historic goal. The Filipinas finally had that moment in women’s football’s grandest spectacle.
“That little taste of what it might feel like when we do score our first goal make it even hungrier [for us] to get it,” Bolden said following Sunday’s training session after the opening game loss.
“We felt it for a little bit, so we wanna be able to hold onto it, cherish it for a long time,” said Bolden. “Hopefully we can get that against New Zealand.”
Bolden was also the goalscorer in the Philippines’ friendly match against the same team last September in Fullerton, California.
That score also came from an Eggesvik pass, but the Philippines couldn’t sustain the lead and lost 2-1.
