Philippine Women’s National Football Team striker Sarina Bolden played the whole 90 minutes as she helped Elfen Saitama kickstart its 2022-23 WE League Cup campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Albirex Niigata, Saturday afternoon, at the Shibata Ijimino Athletic Stadium.
The 2022 AFF Women’s Championship gold medalist had three shots in the match as manager Tanabe Tomoe’s side sought an opening day victory.
Both goals were scored late in the second half. It was Elfen Saitama who actually drew first blood thanks to Mayu Karahashi’s 86th-minute free kick, which she converted using her left foot.
However, Elfen Saitama’s one-goal cushion was short-lived as home side Albirex Niigata found a way back soon after. Ayaka Michigami leveled the contest with a right-footed strike in the 87th minute to ensure that both sides shared the spoils.
The result means that both Elfen Saitama and Albirex Niigata earned one point each in Group A of the tournament.
Bolden and her teammates look to build on this result when they return to action against Omiya Ardija VENTUS on September 3, 2022, with kick-off scheduled at 5:00 PM Manila time.
