By: Icko de Guzman
Sarina Bolden has scored some of the most unforgettable goals in Philippine football history—but on Monday, she found herself cheering from the stands as history was made once again.
The Philippine Women’s National Football Team star was at the PhilSports Arena as Inday Tolentin and Cathrine Graversen netted the country’s first-ever goals in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, sparking jubilation among the 1,700-strong crowd.
“You could feel the joy in the building,” said Bolden, who was honored at halftime of the Philippines–Morocco match.
“Inday (Tolentin), Cath (Graverson), the whole team—everyone was hugging and celebrating. It was pure emotion. History was made, and that’s something we should all be proud of.”
Bolden knows the magnitude of such moments. Her penalty against Chinese Taipei in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup sent the Philippines to its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, and her goal against co-hosts New Zealand in 2023 secured the nation’s first World Cup victory.
Yet, she says Tolentin and Graversen’s achievement carries its own unique weight.
“I can’t even imagine what it’s like to score a World Cup goal in your home country,” said the 29-year-old forward, who currently plays for Como.
“I’m just incredibly proud of them. I hope they keep the momentum going. After this, I’m officially a futsal fan for life.”
With the World Cup unfolding on Philippine soil for the first time, Bolden sees this milestone as a springboard for the sport’s growth.
“Support and funding can change everything,” she noted.
“Moments like this can push futsal and football forward and open doors for more Filipinos to get involved. I’m excited to see how the sport grows from here.”
Bolden also shared an update on her recovery as the Filipinas prepare for the SEA Games, with the team beginning its training camp last week.
“I’m just trying to recover, so I’m glad to be back in the Philippines, getting treatment, and being around the team,” she said.
“I’m working through the knee injury, and being with the group is really important—for my mental health and for the team as a whole.”
#WATCH: THE GIRLS LEFT IT ALL OUT THERE
Sarina Bolden highlights how the #FutsalWWC on home soil fuels belief, support, and the future of football brought by the Filipinas5 that fought for the flag 🇵🇭⚽#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/kYSAjPveZT
📹 @ickodeg /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/jwmaJbmwas
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 25, 2025
