Australia have done it. After a 17-year odyssey, they’ve finally won the ASEAN Women’s Championship for the second time in their history, following a tight 1-0 win over Myanmar last night at the Lach Tray Stadium in Vietnam. Holly Furphy scored the marginal goal for the young Matildas in the 66th minute, as she tapped in Aideen Hogan Keane’s cross from the left side while sending Myanmar goalkeeper Mya Mya Nyein Myo the wrong way.
Considering how Australia started the tournament, not many thought they would win it all. But here they are, proud to say that they defied the pre-tournament ASEAN Women’s Championship 2025 odds.
Myanmar had to settle for the silver medal after losing to Australia. On the other hand, Vietnam took the final podium berth by winning 3-1 against Thailand in the bronze medal contest.
Check out the latest ASEAN Women’s Championship 2025 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
Australia overcame a slow start to earn the trophy
Winning the ASEAN Women’s Championship trophy seemed like the furthest thing away 12 days ago for Australia. The young Matildas began their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Myanmar. However, since then, they went undefeated for the rest of the tournament, eventually bringing home their first crown since their debut in 2008.
A narrow 1-0 win over the former champions, the Philippines, kick-started their unbeaten streak. Alana Jancevski scored the marginal goal before halftime, and that result was enough to end the Philippines’ repeat hopes since Myanmar drew 1-1 against them on the final matchday. A 9-0 rout of Timor-Leste, the biggest win of the competition, further boosted Australia’s confidence, and they also won 2-1 against Vietnam, one of the competition’s favourites, in the semi-finals.
Facing Vietnam in the semi-finals should’ve been daunting for Australia because the hosts boasted the most experienced squad at the tournament, including three of their four all-time top scorers who have combined for over 170 goals. However, the young Matildas surprised the home crowd when they built a two-goal lead in the 17th minute, through early goals from Aideen Hogan Keane and Leticia McKenna. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy pulled one back in the 88th minute, but it was a little too late for Vietnam.
Head coach Joe Palatsides deserves plaudits for not being afraid to mix things up for Australia, as he went from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1. Palatsides also made several changes to the starting XI. The final game against Myanmar was a rematch of the first group stage game, and Australia were better this time, as they had Myanmar on the back foot.
Australia almost scored in the sixth minute, as Georgia Jade Cassidy and Sasha Marie Grove forced two saves out of Mya Mya Nyein Myo. The young Matildas also hit the woodwork several times before Holly Furphy finally found the back of the net.
Myanmar pushed for an equaliser with Win Theingi Tun, the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals, leading the way. However, Australia’s backline held firm to decide the contest. To cap it all off, Furphy also won the Tournament MVP honours.
Vietnam earn well-deserved bronze medal
As mentioned, Vietnam didn’t leave the tournament empty-handed after winning the bronze medal yesterday. Pham Hai Yen, Huynh Nhu, and Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy gave the hosts a three-goal lead before Wiranya Kwaenkasikarm scored a late goal for Thailand to prevent a shutout loss.
Both sides pushed forward in the opening proceedings of the contest, with Thailand posing an early threat. Midfielder Pichayatida Manowang forced a save from Vietnamese goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh in just the second minute. However, Vietnam responded by finally breaking through at the end of the first half, with Hai Yen finding the back of the net in the 45th minute. After the break, Huynh Nhu doubled the advantage in the 65th minute by scoring off a rebound inside the box. Bich Thuy made it 3-0 with a powerful strike from Nguyen Thi Van’s pass. Huynh Nhu was named Player of the Match.
Before this, Vietnam started the tournament with a 6-0 win over Cambodia, a 7-0 win over Indonesia, and a 1-0 win over Thailand before losing 2-1 to Australia in the semi-finals. Head coach Mai Duc Chung targeted a Finals appearance before the start of the competition. However, even if he fell short of his goal, he deserves plaudits for a job well done.
Thailand remain the winningest team in the ASEAN Women’s Championship with four golds, three silvers, and three bronzes. Vietnam are second with three golds, three silvers, and six bronzes.
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