Sarina Bolden’s late goal gifted the Philippine Women’s National Football Team a crucial 1-0 victory over Malaysia in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Saturday at the Army Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
As the match remained deadlocked and approached full time, Bolden headed in the ball in the 90+6th minute to secure the win for the Filipinas.
It was Bolden’s 21st goal in 34 appearances for the national team.
“Sarina is classic example of someone who just dug really deep to find the winner and inspire the team and kept us alive by the skin of our teeth,” said coach Alen Stajcic.
The outcome boosted the Filipinas to second place in Group A, with three points, thanks to one victory and one loss.
A triumph in the next game against defending champion Vietnam on Tuesday will guarantee the Filipinas a direct ticket to the semifinals, while a draw will force them to depend on Malaysia making Myanmar drop points.
“We have to win now to stay alive in the tournament. It’s a must-win game for us. Vietnam, we’ve beaten them once in our history. That was last year at the AFF at home in the Philippines,” said Stajcic.
“It’s a tough game. They’re on top of the group. So we have to win and we have to win well to stay alive.”
After a 1-3 loss to Vietnam earlier in the day, Stajcic’s squad overtook Myanmar.
Vietnam clinched a place in the semifinals by tallying six points in the group after back-to-back victories.
Malaysia is at the bottom of Group A as it has yet to put up a point on the table after two losses.
Malaysia XI: Razak (GK), Singh ©, Sivakumar, Llah, Saidin, Jumlis, Soberi, Zaidi, Sani, Zulgafli, Nanua.
Philippines XI: Fontanilla (GK), Long ©, Cesar, Alcantara, Sawicki, Bolden, McDaniel, Pasion, Harrison, Madarang, Quezada.
