SARINA Bolden’s second-half strike lifted the Philippines to a 1-0 victory over Australiain a rainy start of the AFF Women’s Championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Bolden’s 10th international goal came in the 60th minute as the World Cup-bound Filipinas earned their first three points in front of 1,405 fans at the fabled venue.

Over at the Biñan Football Stadium, Thailand took the early Group A lead following a 4-0 rout of Indonesia.

In the other match at the Malate pitch, Singapore and Malaysia battled to a goalless stalemate.

It was a pretty evenly contested opener considering the weather conditions, as the 132nd-ranked Lionesses and the No. 85 Malaysians shared points to open Group A action.

Action in Group B opens today at the Biñan Football Stadium, with Myanmar and Timor Leste crossing paths at 4 p.m,, to be followed by Cambodia-Laos match at 7 p.m.

Defending champion Vietnam drew a bye and will make its debut on Thursday against Cambodia.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado