SARINA Bolden is set to return to the Filipinas as part of the training pool for the coming 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
But on Monday, Bolden was in the stands, showing her support to the Filipina5 for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup at the Philsports Arena.
Bolden is glad be enveloped by football again, whether it's being with the Filipinas or as a fan watching a Philippine team play, after she sat out for months due to a ruptured ACL.
“It’s pretty fun, but nerve-wracking being a fan than actually playing,” said Bolden after watching the Filipina5 in their 3-2 defeat to Morocco last Monday. “But [I’m] just happy and proud for the team.
“It’s such a big thing, a World Cup in the Philippines. I’m glad to be here in the Philippines, getting my recovery, being back in the (national) team soon.
“Through the journey, being with the team is really important, just for the mental and for the team as a whole.”
From Sarina to Inday
Bolden made history by being the first-ever goal scorer of the Philippines in the FIFA Women’s World Cup when the Filipinas nipped New Zealand, 1-0.
She then saw history unfold three years later when Inday Tolentin knocked in the Filipinos' first goal in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup early in the match against Morocco.
“I’m sure we’re all feeling excited, happy, joyful, like all the feelings. And I can definitely see it on Inday, on Cat [Graversen], the whole team. You can see people just hugging and embracing each other. That's really what it’s all about," said Bolden
“So no matter what, history was made here, and it’s something to be really, really proud of. The fans felt it, everyone from Ultras to family, friends who came out to support. So it’s a really good feeling.
"And it’s here in the Philippines. I don’t even know what that feeling is like – to score a World Cup goal in my home country. So you would have to ask Inday and Cat what that feeling really feels like. But I’m sure it’s an amazing feeling.”
She is also glad for Katrina Guillou, Jaclyn Sawicki, and Bella Flanigan play with the Filipina5 after being her teammates when they made history of their own with the Filipinas.
As she put it, “I’m just really happy for them. And just to show their versatility as athletes, there’s not a lot of athletes that can cross over from soccer, futsal, soccer-esque sports. So hats off to them. I'm super proud of them,” said Bolden.
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