The Philippine women’s football team turned a long-cherished dream into reality in 2023.
The Filipinas secured a place in history when they made their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, becoming the country’s first-ever football team to make it to the grandest stage of the sport commonly referred to as “the beautiful game.”
Even more, the team made the stint a memorable one following an epic 1-0 upset of co-host New Zealand during the group stage.
While the Filipinas fell short of advancing to the knockout stage, the sheer pride and joy their glorious campaign brought to the country will forever be remembered for many generations to come.
In recognition of their remarkable effort, the Filipinas will be honored with the “Golden Lady Booters” Special Award during the San Miguel Corporation-PSA Annual Awards Night at the grand ballroom of the Diamond Hotel on 29 January.
The annual tradition of honoring the cream of the crop of local sports is presented by ArenaPlus, while major sponsors are Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT/Smart and MILO.
Others backing the event being mounted by the country’s oldest media organization under its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star, are Philippine Basketball Association, Premier Volleyball League, Rain or Shine, and 1-Pacman Partylist of Rep. Mikee Romero.
As early as 2022, the Filipinas already trekked the road to history when they earned a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup after reaching the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup.
They were not satisfied though, just by reaching football’s biggest tournament as they later proved that they, too, belonged among the world’s best.
Initially losing their debut game against the 20th-ranked Sweden, 2-0, the Filipinas, managed by Jefferson Cheng and coached by Allen Stajcic, were not about to be disappointed.
The team bounced back the best way possible in its second game against New Zealand played before a roaring crowd of 32,357 fans at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Sarina Bolden proved to be the thorn in the side of the Football Ferns as she etched her name in Philippine football history by scoring the breakthrough goal in the 24th minute off a header that Kiwi goalie Victoria Esson failed to deflect.
Unfortunately, the celebration ended there as the Filipinas absorbed a 6-0 beating at the hands of Norway in Auckland and bowed out of contention for a place in the knockout stage.
