MANILA – The Philippine women’s football team absorbed their first loss in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup 2025, bowing to Australia’s Under-23 Women’s National Team, 1-0, on Sunday night at Việt Trì Stadium in Vietnam.
Alana Jančevski delivered the lone goal in first-half stoppage time (45+1), cutting inside from the right flank before unleashing a low curling shot past Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
The Filipinas nearly equalized in the second half when captain Hali Long’s header was on target, but Young Matildas goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln made a crucial save.
Both teams now have three points in Group B, but Australia holds second place on head-to-head advantage, pushing the Filipinas to third.
“A hard-fought battle for the Philippine women’s national football team. The Filipinas remain in the title hunt! LABAN, PILIPINAS!” the Philippine Football Federation wrote on a social media post.
Earlier, Myanmar solidified its lead in the group with a 3-0 win over Timor-Leste, earning six points and eliminating the latter from contention.
The Filipinas will try to secure a semifinal berth when they face Myanmar at Lạch Tray Stadium in Hai Phong on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. (Manila time), while Australia meets Timor-Leste at Việt Trì Stadium./PN
