The Philippine Women’s National Team will have a second player to play in Japan’s WE League after Chifure AS Elfen Saitama announced the signing of forward Sarina Bolden for the upcoming season.
Bolden, who scored in her Philippines debut against Jordan during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018, was ecstatic when Saitama expressed their intent of signing her for the season.
“I am so thankful and blessed to still be able to play the game, especially, after a challenging past year that was filled with a lot of uncertainty,” said Bolden, whose mother Sherry hails from Pangasinan.
“I thank the PFF for helping and supporting me throughout this process and the WE League for cultivating diversity, empowering women, and making it bigger than just football,” added the forward. “I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be a part of the WE League’s historic first season this year.”
Bolden joins WNT teammate Quinley Quezada of JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies as the country’s two representative ASEAN players in the league.
PFF officials were delighted with Bolden’s signing as it signifies the progress of the Women’s National Team.
“We are proud that Sarina will be the second Filipino to play in the WE League, “said PFF president Mariano Araneta. “Her upcoming stint with Chifure AS Elfen Saitama is the result of how the Women’s National Team has vastly improved in recent years.”
“Sarina has the talents of what it takes to play professional football anywhere in the world,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We are excited to see our Filipino players grow further as they compete in the WE League.”
The WE League is Japan’s first-ever professional women’s football league featuring 11 clubs. In March 2021, the Japan Football Association (JFA) invited ASEAN countries to nominate players who can play in the league prompting PFF to nominate both Bolden and Quezada to the league.
