THE Philippines Women’s National Football Team made history yet again after advancing to the quarterfinals in the team’s debut in the Asian Games.
The Filipinas advanced to the quarterfinals of Women’s Football in the 19th Asian Games after a convincing 3-0 win over Myanmar on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at the Wenzhou Sports Stadium in Hangzhou, China.
Star forward Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines’ opening goal in the 19th minute. After being fouled by a Myanmar defender inside the box, Bolden calmly took the penalty shot and converted it.
Sara Eggesvik scored two quick goals in the second half for a brace.
Eggesvik got a boot in from a header by Bolden and beat Myanmar goalkeeper Nyien Myo Mya Mya in the 60th minute. She followed up that goal with another a minute later. Eggesvik struck from point-blank range from a beautiful pass by Meryll Serrano.
This is the first time in 65 years that any Philippine team advanced past the group stage in the Asian Games. It was back in 1958 that the Philippines Men’s squad advanced to the quarterfinals and finished eighth in that tournament.
Other events
Tennis players Alex Eala and Francis Casey Alcanatara added another bronze medal for the Philippines on Friday, Sept. 29. Eala and Alcantara lost to Chinese-Taipei duo Liang En-Shuo and Huang Tsung-hao in two sets, 7-5, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, one of the country’s top bets for a medal, fell in the preliminary round of the featherweight division in boxing after losing to Chinese-Taipei’s Yu Ting Lin on points, 1-4.
As of press time, boxers Eumir Marcial and John Marvin were also in action. Marcial, an Olympic bronze medalist, fought Vietnamese Manh Cuong Nguyen in the light heavyweight division, while Marvin was up against South Korean Jaemin Jong in the heavyweight division quarterfinals.
The Philippines also lost to Vietnam in the Men’s Epee Team Table event of Fencing, 29-45. The Philippines bowed down to Japan, 2-9, in the Super Round 1 of Softball.
As of press time, the Philippines remained at 24th in the medal tally with a silver and six bronze medals. (EKA)