The Australia U23 squad claimed victory over Myanmar at Lạch Tray Stadium overnight, becoming the 2025 MSIG Serenity Cup / ASEAN Women’s champions.
Initially defeated 2-1 by Myanmar in their opening match of the tournament, the young Aussie team fought back, collecting wins against Vietnam, Timor-Leste and the Philippines before finally claiming retribution against Myanmar and handing them their only loss of the tournament.
The final saw a largely unchanged Starting XI from the side that took on Vietnam in the semi, with the only changes being Georgia Cassidy and Sasha Grove to start, and Grace Johnston and Leticia McKenna on the bench. Tori Tumeth was named captain.
To the delight of Australian fans, this time against Myanmar, the U23s were dominant. Holly Furphy, Georgia Cassidy, Sasha Grove and Claudio Cicco all menaced around goal in the first half, forcing saves from Myo Mya Mya Nein.
Myanmar’s keeper was resolute, denying Australia at every opportunity throughout the first half. The U23s started the second half just as intensely and then, after what felt like an eternity of chances and crossbar denials, Australia would find a way.
Holly Furphy spotted an Alana Jančevski pass cutting through three Myanmar defenders. It was picked up by Aideen Keene, who provided the perfect assist for a sliding goal to Furphy. The Aussies were jubilant as the ball found the bottom corner of the net in the 66th minute.
Now the Australians were in the lead, head coach Joe Palatsides began making some changes with Furphy coming off for Johnston (71′), Jančevski off for Woods (80′) and Gomez and Cassidy off for Thomas-Chinnama and Lemon (90+3) respectively.
The score settled 1-0 to Australia, winning their first ASEAN Women’s Championship in 17 years.
Across the five-match tournament, Australia’s U23 team scored 14 goals and conceded three, with 87 shots, three clean sheets and an average possession of 62.9%.
Match Details
Australia U-23: 1 (Furphy 66′)
Myanmar: 0
FINAL
Australia U-23 v Myanmar
Date: Tuesday, 19 August 2025
Kick-off: 8:00pm local / 11.00pm AEST
Venue: Lach Tray Stadium
Australia U-23 XI: 1. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 2. Alana Cerne, 5. Aideen Keane, 6. Isabel Gomez, (23. Naomi Thomas-Chinnama 90’+3), 8. Georgia Cassidy (22. Abbey Lemon 90’+3), 9. Holly Furphy, 13. Alana Jančevski, (14. Alicia Woods 80′) 15. Tori Tumeth (C), 16. Amy Chessari, 17. Sasha Grove, (19. Grace Johnston 71′) 21. Claudia Cicco.
Substitutes not used: 4. Ella Tonkin, 7. Emilia Makris, 10. Sofia Sakalis, 11. Annalise Rasmussen, 12. Sally James (GK), 18. Tahlia Franco (GK), 20. Leticia McKenna
Yellow Card:
Myanmar: Yoon Wadi Hlaing (57′)
Australia: Chloe Lincoln (90’+5)
Red Card: Nil
Player of the Match: Holly Furphy
Rising Star of the Tournament: Alana Jančevski
Most Valuable Player of the Tournament: Holly Furphy
