STRIKER Sarina Bolden and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, who starred for the country in the World Cup, will spearhead the Filipinas as they make their debut in the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games in Group E tomorrow against Hong Kong at the Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium in Wenzhou, China.
Bolden scored the winning header while McDaniel was stellar in preserving the Philippines’ stunning 1-0 win over host New Zealand in Group A of the FIFA Women’s World Cup last July 25 at the Sky Stadium in Wellington.
The core of that squad, which was posted on the Filipinas’ official website yesterday, is virtually intact with skipper and defender Hali Long back in harness with Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison and comebacking Eva Madarang, who missed the World Cup, completing the highly-regarded back row.
Serving as McDaniel’s relievers are veteran goalie Inna Palacio and Kiara Fontanilla in the high-level competition marking the national women’s team debut of Australian coach Mark Torcaso, who took over the helm from compatriot Alen Stajcic, who now mentors Aussie club Perth Glory.
Aside from Bolden, providing the offense are forwards Katrina Guillou, Alisha del Campo, Merryl Serrano and Chandler McDaniel, Olivia’s younger sister.
The midfield is likewise deep, led by Quinley Quezada and versatile Fil-Norwegian Sara Eggesvik plus Anicka Castaneda, Kaya Hawkinson, Natalie Oca, Isabella Pasion, Jacklyn Sawicki and Camille Rodriguez.
The Nationals left yesterday for the Chinese port city of Wenzhou, located 298 kilometers southeast of the main Asian Games of Hangzhou, for the group stage matches where they are also bracketed with South Korea and Myanmar.
Following their encouraging result in the World Cup, hopes are high the Filipinas, managed by sportsman-businessman Jeff Cheng, would become the first national women’s football team to take a bow in the Asian sports showcase.
They will be the heavy favorites when they take on Hong Kong at 4 p.m. tomorrow following their 4-0 shutout win over the same squad the last time the two sides met in the first round of the FIFA Olympic qualifiers in Hisor, Tajikistan last April.
Bolden had a brace while Quezada and Serrano scored a goal each in the lopsided victory.
Torasco’s charges face South Korea on Sept. 25 before wrapping up their group campaign against Myanmar on Sept. 28.
