MANILA – The national women’s football team has qualified to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup set in Australia – a first in Philippine history.
The Malditas made the feat after defeating Chinese-Taipei via penalty shootout, 4-3, in the quarterfinals of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) in Pune, India.
Staring at heartbreak with the Malditas trailing 2-3 in the penalties and with an attempt to spare, Olivia McDaniel came up with a huge save on a Chinese-Taipei’s kick to keep the Philippines’ flickering hopes alive.
McDaniel then stepped on the goal to equalize the penalties at 3-3 before thwarting the next attempt of Chinese-Taipei. Sarah Bolden then secured the win for the Malditas with her conversion past the Chinese-Taipei keeper.
The achievement of the Alen Stajcic-mentored Malditas was huge. This was the first Philippine football team to punch a ticket in either the men’s or the women’s World Cup.
The Malditas actually gained headway in the second half with Quinley Quezada connecting at the 48th minute but it was equalized by Chinese-Taipei late in the regulation courtesy of Zhou Li-Ping.
Both teams had close chances in the two-half extra time, with the Malditas having some close attempts from Bolden and Sara Castañeda but could not find the target to set up the penalty shootout.
In the penalties, Chinese-Taipei made its first three attempts, while the Malditas made the first two courtesy of Castañeda and Tanhai Annis before Bolden struggled on her try.
The national women’s football team still has a chance to extend their remarkable feat in the competition as they take on South Korea in the semifinals on Feb. 3. The other pairing features China and Japan.
Prior to this first-ever triumph of the Philippines over Chinese-Taipei, the national team scored a 1-0 stunner over Thailand and 6-0 beating of Indonesia but bowed to Australia, 3-0./PN
