Get to know the country's two top goal scorers.
With less than two weeks before the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the final 23 of the Philippine women’s national football team has been named.
The excitement for fans and for the Filipinas is through the roof as they make their debut in the biggest football tournament in the world.
With that in mind, let’s get to know the members of the squad—starting with the country’s top goal scorers.
Name: Sarina Bolden
Position: Forward
Age: 27 years old
Birthplace: Santa Clara, California, United States
Club: Western Sydney Wanderers
Sarina Bolden has been a crucial piece in the Philippine women’s national football for the past few years. She made her debut for the national team in the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Jordan. Since then, she has made 37 international appearances and has scored 22 goals.
Bolden will be forever etched in Philippine football history after scoring the winning penalty in the quarterfinals of last year's AFC Women's Asian Cup in India, which resulted in the Philippines qualifying for its first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup.
Let 'em know
“I just ask for people to keep supporting us, being there for us. Especially, with a big tournament that’s coming up, the FIFA Women’s World Cup. That’ll be in New Zealand for us this July. So, please support us. Be there, social media, in person, whatever you can, everything counts,” said Bolden after being named Miss Football of the Philippine Sportswriters Association last March.
Pass the sass
If there’s one thing you can count on from Bolden, aside from her goal-scoring capabilities, it’s pulling off fire drips off the pitch.
Keep slaying
Bolden’s historic penalty kick to turn the Philippines' dream into a reality should forever live rent-free in everyone's minds.
Name: Quinley Quezada
Position: Midfielder
Age: 26 years old
Birthplace: Rosemead, California, United States
Club: Red Star Belgrade
Quinley Quezada has also been a familiar face for the Filipinas’ attacking front. The 26-year-old also made her debut in 2018 in the AFF Women's Championship. In 49 international appearances, Quezada has scored 22 goals, equaling Bolden for most in Philippine women's football history.
From qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup to winning the AFF Women's Championship, Quezada has been part of the ups and downs of the Filipinas.
Let 'em know
“It really felt like everything we had worked for up until that point had worked like we did it, we made history. We qualified for the World Cup and that was our main goal leading up to that tournament. And so having that happen, I just lost it. I get chills now thinking about it,” said Quezada in an interview with Optus Sport.
Pass the sass
The Fil-American midfielder is a key cog for the Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
Keep slaying
Quezada always answers the call of duty, as proven by this interview prior to the Filipinas' qualification for the 2022 AFC Asian Women's Cup.