History, heroics, hope: PH women's road to FIFA Women's World Cup had everything

The Philippines have qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 after beating Chinese Taipei 4-3 on penalties in a historic night in Pune, India.

Leading 1-0 after 49 minutes via a Quinley Quezada goal, the Philippines looked on course to seal the victory in normal time.

But a never-say-die Chinese Taipei side produced a wonder goal in the 82nd minute to force extra time, where neither side created a goal.

This led to the penalty shootout, where the Philippines would buck two missed penalties and come from behind to seal a place not just in the World Cup, but a place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup semi-finals as well.

Here are five things from the historic night for the Philippines.

1. Olivia McDaniel rises to the occasion.

When it seemed all hope was lost and that the football gods had suddenly frowned upon the Philippines, the force that is Olivia McDaniel happened.

With Chinese Taipei leading 3-2 in the penalty shootout, and with the Philippines captain Hali Long failing to equalize in the ensuing spot kick, the future seemed grim for the Philippines.

Now needing a save to keep the Philippines in the game, Olivia McDaniel rose to the biggest of occasions.

After saving from Chinese Taipei’s Su Sin-Yun, the 24-year-old McDaniel then stepped up to take her own penalty before making yet another save on Taipei’s Zhuo Li-Ping.

The amazing sequence of events set up the stage for Sarina Bolden to home the winning penalty.

But all would not have been possible without the heroics of this BTS-loving ARMY keeper, who may only have four caps under her belt but has her name firmly carved in Philippine women’s football lore.

2. Sarina Bolden comes through in the clutch.

When Chinese Taipei equalized with a spectacular effort form long range, beating the erstwhile impenetrable McDaniel in the process, Filipino fans could be forgiven for thinking that this may not be the Filipinas' night.

After all, eight minutes was all that separated the Philippines from qualification to the FIFA World Cup before the equalizer, the kind of goal which will usually swing the momentum firmly to the chasing team.

But the Philippines’ faith and self-belief never wavered and nowhere is this more embodied than by Philippines’ striker Sarina Bolden.

Setting up the Philippines goal in the 49th minute, she could’ve scored one goal herself to seal the game in the 84th minute. But it was in the sudden death of penalties where Bolden, who showed nerves of steel, really came through.

Despite missing a penalty in the group stage game against Indonesia, the Japan-based Bolden took the decisive penalty to send the Philippines to the FIFA World Cup.

But that was only the culmination of a game-long effort for Bolden, whose vocal leadership and encouragement on the field was just as important as her driving runs and tireless effort all game long.

3. In Staj We Trust

After putting on a Player of the Match performance against Indonesia, team captain Tahnai Annis was not included in the starting eleven by Coach Alen Stajcic, which caught many by surprise, not least perhaps, the Chinese Taipei team.

But, as has been the theme all tournament long, we put our faith in Stajcic to make the right decisions and again, he did not fail to deliver.

Coach Stajcic had Annis come on in the 72nd minute, ensuring she would provide end game leadership whilst others were tiring, and her steadying hand as well as her penalty taking skills were indeed needed.

Sara Castaneda was another inspired substitute, and her coolly taken penalty set the tone for the team.

And in an amazing twist of the fate, with the Philippines in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup and Australia beaten by South Korea, Stajcic has now outperformed his former employers, who might be looking over with a bit of envy over the happenings in the Philippine camp.

4. Football, bloody hell.

Fans watching the match had pretty much gone through the whole gamut of emotions.

The nervous tension in the hours leading up to the match, gave way to a collective joy when the Philippines were one goal to the good after 49 minutes.

This gave way to extreme apprehension and stress as Chinese Taipei found a way to equalize late in the game.

Then there was the hope, a renewed kind of hope that the team could somehow manage to come back from this emotional blow to regain the lead in extra time.

When the game then turned to lottery of penalties, anxiety levels were off the roof especially as we had to kick second.

And when Jessica Miclat missed her spot kick, a great sense of despair came creeping in, only to be lifted again when Chinese Taipei hit the post in their ensuing turn.

This would turn into yet another sense of gloom and deep foreboding when Long had her shot saved.

That is of course, until McDaniel and Bolden saved the day, lifting the Philippines and its watching fans from the deep depths of despair to the heights of ecstasy all in a span of a few minutes.

Football and cheering for your own country, there’s quite nothing like it.

And we love it.

5. Philippines: making history everywhere

It seems like with every passing day, the Filipinas are making more history and creating new firsts.

After beating Thailand for the first time ever, it was Chinese Taipei’s turn to be on the receiving end of a first ever victory by the Philippine women, and what a way to do it, with a dramatic sudden death win on penalties.

With the goal of qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 firmly secured, attention will now be in the small matter of the semi-finals of the ongoing AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

A determined South Korea team is next in line for the gallant Filipinas, and while we go again into the match as overwhelming underdogs – who will bet against the Philippines against making more history?

With the pressure off, the ladies will go into the match full of confidence, now daring to dream the impossible and daring to dream of an Asian Cup final.

Because, after beating the erstwhile unbeaten teams, after scaling new height after new height, after qualifying for the World Cup, why not?

History is ready to be re-written once again for this Philippine Women’s National Football Team.

The Philippines plays for a slot in the final against South Korea on February 3 at 4 p.m., Manila time.

—JMB, GMA News