by: Jeb Garganera || Photo Credit: Asian Football Confederation

Carving their names as Filipino legends, the Philippine women’s football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, ending January 2022 with a shot at greatness.  

On January 30, 2022, the Philippine national women’s football team bested Chinese Taipei on penalties, 4-3, at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinals at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India. 

Both teams were held at a 1-1 draw, with Taiwan’s Zhou Li-Ping equalizing in the 83rd minute after the Philippines’ Quinley Quezada opened the scoring for the match in the 49th minute.  

The Philippine team scored their first goal just minutes after the second half began, after a technical play involving Sarina Bolden, Katrina Gillou, and Quinley Quezada, with Quezada giving the Philippines a 1-0 lead.  

Zhou Li-Ping of Chinese Taipei scored the equalizer with less than 10 minutes remaining, forcing the match into extra time. 

In the extra 30 minutes allotted, both teams were unable to advance in the draw, hence resulting in a stalemate at the end of the second additional period.  

Following a few saves and a goal by goalie Olivia McDaniel, Sarina Bolden scored the game-winner, concluding the match with a semifinal spot and a chance at the World Cup. 

“It’s an unbelievable moment for the group,” Head Coach Alen Stajcic expressed after the crucial match. “Now every young kid back home in the Philippines can be inspired… We’re really proud of each other, but we’re even more proud that we’ve inspired the next generation.” 

In hopes of advancing to the finals, the Philippines will face South Korea in the semifinals at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India, on Thursday.  

The World Cup, which Australia and New Zealand will co-host, will take place in July 2023.