Filipinas blank Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendly ahead of AFF women's championship

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women's national football team asserted its skills ahead of the AFF Women's Championship, routing Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3-0, in an international friendly at the Terme Catez in Brezice, Slovenia on Thursday (early Friday morning, Manila time).

Sarina Bolden scored a brace to pace the Filipinas against their 63rd-ranked opponents, marking the first-ever win for the Philippine team on European soil.

But it was Tara Shelton who opened the flood gates for the Filipina booters as she netted a screamer from outside of the box in the seventh minute of the contest.

Apart from being the Filipinas' first goal in Europe, it was a personal milestone for Shelton as it was her first international goal.

The lead was doubled by Bolden late in the first half as she found herself at the right place at the right time after outsmarting an offside trap.

She went one-on-one with the keeper and successfully netted the goal at the 39th minute.

Bolden completed her brace in the 82nd minute mark, off a rocket from the corner of the box.

PWNT debutant Sara Eggesvik, who came on at the 81st minute, assisted on the goal.

Despite the lopsided win, it took a lot of effort from the Filipinas defense to maintain the clean sheet.

Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel had to make some good saves against the taller Bosnians.

The 3-0 win capped off an impressive couple of friendlies after a narrow 0-1 loss against the higher-ranked Ireland earlier in their training camp.

The friendlies were part of the team's preparations for the upcoming AFF Women's Championship set to unfurl here at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Philippines will be facing a difficult group as they join powerhouse Australia, regional rival Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in Group A.