Philippine players celebrate a goal against Vietnam during the Women

Sarina Bolden to lead Filipinas’ gold quest in SEA Games

April 30, 2023 Times Europe

The Philippines’ Sarina Bolden celebrates a goal against Vietnam during the Women’s Asian Football Federation (AFF) semifinal match at the Rizal memorial coliseum in Manila on July 15, 2022. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines-The make-up of the Philippine women’s football team remains formidable on paper despite missing other key names for the 32nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

Sarina Bolden, Hali Long, Quinley Quezada and Olivia McDaniel headline the Filipinas’ squad list, but will be missing Katrina Guillou, Tahnai Annis and Dom Randle when the Filipinas shoot for their first-ever gold in the regional meet.

Chandler McDaniel is set for her maiden SEA Games appearance after failing to see action during last year’s edition in Vietnam due to an ACL injury.

McDaniel had three goals when the Philippines won all three games in the first round of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tajikistan.

Also heading to Cambodia are Sara Eggesvik, Carleigh Frilles, Jaclyn Sawicki, Bella Flanigan, Sofia Harrison, Eva Madarang, Alicia Barker, Reina Bonta, Maya Alcantara and Kiara Fontanilla.

Isabella Passion, who saw action for the first time in the Olympic qualifiers also made the squad while Natalie Oca and Sabine Ramos, who played for the U-20 team of assistant coach Nahuel Arrante, will make their senior debuts.

The Filipinas were drawn in Group A with defending champion Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia. In Group B are Thailand, host Cambodia, Singapore and Laos.

Expectations are high for the World Cup-bound Filipinas, who after claiming bronze in the Vietnam SEA Games emerged winners of the AFF Women’s Championship in Manila.