Bolden hat trick highlights Filipinas’ 4th win

Sarina Bolden went on a three-goal rampage in the last 45 minutes to power host Philippines to a semis-clinching 4-1 win over Indonesia in the AFF Women’s Football Championship last night before a loud cheering crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Bolden’s hat trick (57’, 63’, 66’) highlighted a searing second-half assault by the Filipinas that propelled their fightback from a 0-1 deficit in the first half en route to their fourth straight victory.

With 12 points, the unbeaten Filipinas secured a ticket to the Final Four with a game to spare in Group A. The hosts will seek a sweep tomorrow against Thailand (10 points after its 4-0 shutout of Malaysia) before proceeding to the knockout stage.

It was a nervy opening half for the Philippines and a 1,474-strong crowd with Indonesia drawing first blood seven minutes before half-time.

Carlo Bio Pattinosarany’s constant pressure reaped dividends in the 28th when she managed to poke the ball away from Philippine keeper Inna Palacios and rolled it home to the shock of the stadium.

But coming out of the dugout with added fire to shouts of encouragement from supporters, Bolden and the Filipinas delivered the major turnaround.

Skipper Tahnai Annis evened things up with a lovely strike off a cross by Sofia Harrison just two minutes into the second half. Bolden picked it up from there. “It’s a good game to have to experience. Indonesia was the better team in the first half and they deserved the lead but for us to come back showed a lot of resilience and good character within the team,” said coach Alen Stajcic.

“It’s good to be in that position in one respect but in another, we have to improve on our first half performance,” he added.

Indonesia sustained its third loss against a draw.