“Our young squad, with an average age of 22.6 yrs, fought hard against power house Australia and we commend their performance. We are confident that these are the best players for this competition and that they will keep pushing towards defending our title.” – PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez
The Philippine women’s national football team figured in a tight match against Australia U23 but a first half stoppage time by the Young Matildas got them a narrow 1-0 result in match day two of the 2025 ASEAN Women’s Championship – MSIG Serenity Cup in Phu Tho, Vietnam on Sunday evening.
Despite this, the title defense is still on as a win against Group B leader Myanmar on Wednesday may send the Filipinas to the semifinals.
“I’m extremely proud of our players. We’ve brought in a very, very young group, we’ve got two 16-year-olds that have played for our country today, that came on against an under-23 age group team,” said Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso.
“We’re extremely proud of the way they fought right to the end and I thought we should have actually pinched a draw… We can take this as a positive step in the game against Myanmar,” Torcaso added.
With a minute before half time, Melbourne Victory’s Alana Jancevski scored the lone goal with an inward curl past Olivia McDaniel’s hands after intercepting the ball from Azumi Oka from the right flank.
In the previous possession, Chandler McDaniel had a chance to score for the Filipinas but Quinley Quezada’s ball toward her spot in front of goal was saved by Chloe Lincoln.
A half time adjustment resulted in better possessions and attacking chances by the Filipinas in the second half. Hali Long had the best shot on target in the 53rd minute with a strong header off the left corner kick but was saved by Lincoln.
The Filipinas created an offensive chance in open play in the 68th minute but Malea Cesar’s shot inside the box off a play created from the right wing was blocked. In the 85th minute, Alessandrea Carpio shot a rocket from far left off her interception but was saved again by Lincoln.
After Olivia McDaniel’s magnificent double save in the 90th minute, Nina Mathelus’ tap in front off Inday Tolentin’s shot was wide right in the Filipinas’ final possession.
Earlier in the evening, 2022 bronze medalist Myanmar won against Timor-Leste by three goals to remain unblemished in the group stage with six points.
