In a stirring moment that resonates with every corner of the globe where the Filipino diaspora is present, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, carrying the moniker Filipinas, carved an indelible niche in the annals of football history at the 2023 FIFA World Cup. Against the breathtaking backdrop of New Zealand, this band of trailblazers, mostly nurtured outside the Philippine archipelago, emerged victorious in their debut at the global finals, etching a memorable win with a singular goal that will forever be remembered.
The date was July 25th, the setting was the Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand’s capital city. Over 30,000 eager spectators filled the seats, their collective breath held in anticipation. The Filipinas were up against the formidable New Zealand Football Ferns, hosts of the tournament. As the game clock ticked the 24th minute, a pivotal moment unfurled that shook the stadium and sparked celebrations in far-flung Filipino communities worldwide.
Sarina Bolden, a Filipino-American professional football player, headed the ball into the net, securing a historical win for the Filipinas and placing her name indelibly in World Cup history. Olivia Davies-McDaniel, the Filipinas’ steadfast Filipino-American goalkeeper, safeguarded this narrow lead against the relentless Football Ferns, earning her well-deserved Player of the Match honors.
This triumphant narrative reached global ears, echoed in reports from the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and FIFA. The PFF proudly announced, “Sarina Bolden etched herself in FIFA Women’s World Cup history as the first Filipino player to score in a World Cup final match after her 24th-minute header.” FIFA echoed the sentiment, stating, “Sarina Bolden has etched her name into history after the Philippines secured a 1-0 win over co-hosts New Zealand.”
This win was not just a matter of scores, but a testament to a unified spirit transcending borders. It showcased the unwavering heart, or ‘puso’, of the Filipinas team, a group brought together by shared heritage rather than geographic proximity. Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic, reflecting on the team’s performance, shared, “I think they showed true heart, bringing out their puso, which means heart in Tagalog.”
The match was not without its share of tense moments and near misses. New Zealand strived relentlessly for an equalizer, but the single goal from Bolden, coupled with a robust defense led by goalkeeper McDaniel, proved enough for the Filipinas to cement their place in history. As the FIFA report noted, “Olivia McDaniel to deny the hosts an equaliser, and the Philippines held on for a famous victory.”
Now holding a precious three points after two games and emboldened by a memorable victory, the Filipinas, the first Philippine football team to reach the World Cup and the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation Champions, stride forward with a beacon of hope in their eyes. Their next match awaits against Norway, and a chance to advance further into this global tournament continues to gleam ahead.
Filipinas with 1 win, 1 loss scorecard after Tuesday, standing in joint 2nd place with New Zealand. With only the top two teams in the group advancing to the next round, #LabanFilipinas aim to win against Norway this Sunday, July 30 @FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/3si8HjWF57
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) July 26, 2023
The resilience and determination of Team Filipinas have etched an unforgettable narrative in the annals of football. As this inspiring story reverberates worldwide, the underdog Filipinas continue their historical journey, forging a path of victory and resilience at the 2023 FIFA World Cup. They have etched their names in the hearts of a global audience and painted an unforgettable picture of the Filipino spirit and tenacity on the world’s largest football stage.
Filipinas next match:
July 30: Norway vs. Philippines at 3 PM Philippine Standard Time (19:00 local time, Eden Park)
The game can be viewed on Cignal cable and One Sports Free TV in the Philippines, on Pilipinaslive app, and FIFA Plus.
WATCH the game highlights here and SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to the Filipinas for their historic win at the FIFA Women’s World Cup!
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