2024 AFC Olympic Qualifiers: Filipinas deny Chinese Taipei of revenge as Bolden leads way

Revenge denied.

Chinese Taipei couldn't avenge their loss against the Philippine women's football team more than a year ago in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup, which deprived them of a 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup berth.

The Filipinas recovered from a one-nil deficit to demolish the Taiwanese squad, 4-1, for a strong start in the second round of the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the HBF Park in Australia on Thursday, October 26.

In January 2022, the formerly called Malditas defeated Chinese Taipei in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout that saw goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel save two spot-kicks before Sarina Bolden slotted her attempt to send the Southeast Asian country to its maiden World Cup appearance.

Over a year later, both nations met again in Perth to bolster their chances of reaching the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Philippines and Chinese Taipei are drawn alongside host Australia and Iran in Group A.

Taiwan drew first blood, but that only lit the fire on Bolden and the rest of Mark Torcaso's wards as they ran riot after the Blue Magpies' breakthrough goal.

"We knew they were going to be a tough opponent. We did not take them lightly, so honestly, that goal wasn't a surprise. But it definitely put a fire in our behinds, like, "hey, we need to do something," the 27-year-old forward said in a post-match interview.

"The penalty kick that Meryll drew kick-started things, and one goal led to another. We were able to get on the scoreboard a bunch today." she added.

Bolden, who scored the Philippines' first-ever goal in a World Cup, finished with a brace, while Katrina Guillou and Chandler McDaniel had one apiece, scoring all of it in the second half.

READ: Herstory made: Thanks to Bolden, PH claims first FIFA Women's World Cup win over New Zealand

Up next for the Torcaso-mentored squad is the Matildas of Australia on Sunday, October 29, at the Optus Stadium.

Originally, the PHI-AUS clash was set at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, with a capacity of over 20,000, but was later moved due to high demand in the 60,000-seater Optus Stadium.

In last year's AFC Women's Asian Cup, the Sam Kerr-led Australians blanked the Philippines, 4-0.

Bolden already expects a tough game over the weekend, with Australia playing in front of their home crowd.

"It's going to be a really tough game, but nothing that we're new to when it comes to challenges. We've played Australia before, and we know they're a tough opponent." Bolden talked about the 2023 World Cup fourth placer.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of reconvening, regrouping to see what our tactics are going to be against them, and we'll go from there."

Hsu Yi-yun opened the floodgates just two minutes into the second half after a goalless opening half mostly dominated by the Filipinas. Unfortunately, the white shirts failed to find the back of the net, thanks to Taiwan's impenetrable defense.

Responding to the conceded goal, Torcaso subbed in Jaclyn Sawicki and Alicia Barker for Reina Bonta and Dominique Randle. The timely substitutions stabilized the stunned crew on the pitch to find their way back to the still-winnable match.

Six minutes later, Meryll Serrano fished a foul inside the box and the referee whistled for a penalty kick.

Bolden stepped on the spot and knotted the scoreline at one-all in the 54th minute by firing the ball to the upper right corner.

Not done yet, Katrina Guillou doubled the lead in the 60th after converting team captain Tahnai Annis' pass. Guillou nearly put the Philippines ahead in the first half, but her goal was called offside.

Continuing their offensives, Filipinas never let Taiwanese goalie Cheng Ssu-Yu rest, with several shots coming one after another.

Bolden, Sara Eggesvik, and Hali Long had their attempts either defended or went wide.
Filipinas' persistence finally paid off in the 83rd minute as Bolden nailed her 28th international goal to give the nationals a 3-1 cushion.

Substitute Chandler McDaniel struck the exclamation goal in the 90th minute to complete the world number 44 Philippines' 4-1 dominance of the 38th-ranked Taiwanese eleven.