The opening match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 saw Sarina Isabel Bolden score a beautiful go-ahead goal in the stunning 2-1 win over Jordan last Friday night (Saturday morning in Manila) at the Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan.
Tied at 1-1 in the 75th minute, defender Hali Long sent a perfectly placed pass for Bolden. The forward, who played for Loyola Marymount University in the United States, beat her defender before firing a shot through the legs of the goalkeeper and in to the back of the net.
It was Bolden’s first international goal and the moment could not have been any more sweeter as she was named the player of the match.
“It’s really, really exciting,” shared Bolden. “It means so much to me and I’m so glad that I’m able to be a part of something like this.”
The chance to play for the Philippines was relished by Bolden, whose mother Sherry hails from the northern province of Pangasinan in the Philippines.
“It’s just so exciting to be a part of something so special and big. Not only am I playing for myself but I get to a play for a country which is a part of myself, and it’s so much bigger,” explained the forward.
Bolden also credits the composure of the team that was instilled to them by head coach Rabah Benlarbi.
“(After Jordan scored a goal,) we got everyone together and said ‘it’ll be okay,’ we still have a lot of time and we all took that to heart and believed it, and it paid off – we were able to get two goals and get the win,” added Bolden.
Photo from Mia Montayre
