Sarina Bolden took charge early, steering the Philippine Women’s National Football Team to a whopping 5-0 drubbing of Malaysia in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games women’s football tournament at the Biñan Football Stadium, Friday.
With the victory, the Nationals ended the group stage with five points under their belt. They also secured their place in the semifinals.
“Maganda yung nilaro ngayon ng Malaysia compared doon sa observation namin from the last tournament,” said PWNVT head coach Let Dimzon. “Yun lang yung naging ano namin ngayon so may mga malalaking chances na we can able to score but nasa-save ng Malaysia.”
The Filipino-American forward opened the Philippines’ scoring barrage, squeezing one in from close range in the 24-minute mark.
Alisha Del Campo’s header then gave the Malditas a 2-0 cushion in the 38th minute.
Just when the first half was about to end, Bolden ran roughshod on the Malaysians, converting a goal in the 41st minute. She followed with a header off a corner kick from Mea Bernal in stoppage time to further bury Malaysia.
Eva Madarang then slammed the nails in the coffin with a goal in the dying seconds of the match, finally sealing the Malaysian’s fate.
Earlier in the day, Vietnam bagged a 6-0 victory over Indonesia to take the first semis seat in Group B with four points.
The Filipinas will go up against either Vietnam, Indonesia, or Thailand in the semifinals on December 5.
Philippines XI: Palacios (GK), Lim, Long, Rodriguez, Dolino, Bolden, Quezada, Impelido ©, Castañeda, Bernal, Del Campo.
Malaysia XI: Mazlan (GK), Rofinus, Sikayun, Andrea, Yahya, Nordin, Michael, Balanting, Usman, Pius ©.
