The CommBank Junior Matildas have secured their place in the Final of the ASEAN U16 Girls鈥 Championships 2025鈩 after a 3鈥0 win against tournament hosts Indonesia.
Played in front of a passionate home crowd, the match began at a frantic pace with Australia on the front foot early. Within the opening minutes, they were creating chances, forcing Indonesia鈥檚 goalkeeper into action. A series of close calls, including a scramble in the box from Theo Mouithys Mickalad and a near miss from a corner, set the tone before the breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute.
A sweeping move down the wing ended with Abbie Puckett finding space inside the area, calmly slotting home the opener. Just five minutes later, she doubled her tally with a strike from distance that caught the Indonesian keeper off guard, giving Australia a 2鈥0 lead heading into the break.
Indonesia responded with greater attacking intent after halftime, looking to claw their way back into the contest. They pressed higher up the pitch and tested the Australian backline, but the visitors continued to dominate possession and create chances of their own.
As the heat began to take its toll, the game slowed while Australian captain Kaya Jugovic sealed the result with a superb curling effort from outside the box in the 58th minute - a goal worthy of sending her side into the decider.
Despite the scoreline, Indonesia鈥檚 goalkeeper produced several impressive saves to keep the margin down and give the home crowd moments to cling to. But in the end, Australia鈥檚 composure and control proved decisive.
The 3鈥0 result sees the CommBank Junior Matildas advance to Friday鈥檚 Final, where they will face defending champions Thailand. Australia has the wood over Thailand this tournament, defeating them in the opening group stage game, 2-1.
Match Details
CommBank Junior Matildas: 3 (Puckett 22' 27', Jugovic 58')
Thailand: 0
Tournament: ASEAN U16 Girls鈥 Championship 2025
Date:鈥疻ednesday, 27 August 2025
Kick-off:鈥7.30pm WIB / 10.30pm AEST
Venue: Manahan Stadium, Surakarta
CommBank Junior Matildas XI: 18. Dali Gorr Burchmore (GK), 2. Willa Pearson, 4. Keira Sarris, 5. Liana Luong, 6. Aeryn Tarrant, 7. Claire Corbett, 8. Kaya Jugovic (C), 16. Tehya Aspland, 20. Sakura Leong, 21. Theo Mouithys Mickalad, 23. Abbie Puckett
Starting substitutes: 1. Annabelle Croll (GK), 3. Arabella Ryan, 9. Matilda Dias Wadewitz, 10. Leyla Hussein, 11. Zoe Panagopoulos, 12. Amelie Millar (GK), 13. Maeve Nicholas, 14. Jada Taylor, 15. Mikaela Gavranic, 17. Mary Dal Broi, 19. Sarena Elborogi, 22. Hayley Muir
Next match:
ASEAN U16 Girls鈥 Championship 2025 Final
CommBank Junior Matildas v Thailand
Date: Friday, 29 August 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm WIB / 10.30pm AEST
Venue: Manahan Stadium, Surakarta
