.jpg)
Filipinas striker Sarina Bolden celebrates after scoring a goal against New Zealand on July 25, 2023 during the FIFA Women’s World Cup im New Zealand. PFF-PWNFT handout/File
MANILA -- Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Gutierrez is hopeful that star striker Sarina Bolden will recover and return as quickly as possible for the Philippine women's national football team.
Bolden, a key figure in the Filipinas' historic 2023 World Cup run, revealed in early July that she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April.
"Fingers crossed. There is definitely room for the squad. I'm not the coach, but of course , there's always room for the squad, for that kind of talent," said Gutierrez.
"I think in one of her social media posts, she says she's far from done, which is music to my ears. So we're looking forward to having her back. Hopefully, by early next year, she'll be ready to start training again."
Sarina Bolden reveals ACL injury: 'It broke me in more ways than one'
The injury ruled Bolden out of the AFC Women's Asia Cup qualifiers last June. She will also not play in the Filipinas' title defense in the 2025 MSIG Serenity Cup, but it remains to be seen if the striker will recover in time for next year's Women's Asia Cup.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Bolden shared the gravity of the injury and its impact on her life both on and off the pitch.
"On April 2nd, I fully ruptured my ACL. And to be honest, it broke me in more ways than one," wrote Bolden.
"There's really no preparing for the kind of pain that comes with an injury like this, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. When the thing that's been your world for as long as you can remember is suddenly taken from you…it's hard to make sense of it,"
"I felt it all. Shock, sadness, denial, frustration. Some days are heavier than others. In May I had surgery in Australia and I'm now a couple months into recovery," the Filipina booter said.
"I've had time to process and to start healing, both physically and mentally, but I know this will be a long road, and I'm giving myself grace to take it day by day."
Bolden made her intentions clear as she concluded her message: "And to anyone wondering: I'm not done. Far from it. I'll give everything I have to this game for as long as I can. I've always been fueled by the setbacks and I know this will be no different."
Bolden scored the country's first and only goal in their 2023 World Cup stint in their match against New Zealand.