Australia U23s go down 2-1 to Myanmar in their first match of the ASEAN Women’s Championships

It was a rough start to the Australia U23's ASEAN Women’s Championship MSIG Serenity Cup™ 2025 campaign, with the Australians going down 2-1 to Myanmar in their opening match at Viet Tri Stadium, Phú Thọ.

Captained by Naomi Thomas-Chinamma, both sides started brightly, but it was Myanmar who would make the most of their chances. 

In the 12th minute, Naw Htet Ntet Wai fired off the first warning shot against the Aussies, breaking her way through the defence to send the ball over the bar from the edge of the area.

Then, a cross from Phyu Phyu Win almost caught out Sally James in the 27th minute. Soon after, Australia looked to up the ante with Grace Johnson forcing Myo Mya Mya Nyein into a save, but five minutes later, May Thet Mon Myint would break the deadlock from 25 yards out, sending a curling ball past James.

The first half ended with Myanmar up 1-0 before a nightmarish start to the second half for the Aussies.

In the first few minutes, James' attempt to pass was intercepted by Myanmar, with Win Theingi Tun swiftly stealing possession and slotting the ball into an empty net.

A further two dangerous shots from Win Win and Khin Mo Mo were evidence that Myanmar were on the hunt for a conclusive win, but it would be the Australia U-23s who shifted gears to claim the third goal of the match.

Four changes were made by coach Joe Palatsides in the 64th minute, with Alana Jančevski coming on for Abbey Lemon, Claudia Cicco for Emilia Murray, Holly Furphy for Sofia Sakalis and Leticia McKenna for Annalise Rasmussen. A further substitution came in the 78th minute with Cassidy on for Gomez.

Aideen Keane threatened from close range, hitting the side of the net after Myo Mya Mya was unable to properly recover from Alana Jancevski’s 70th-minute attempt, but it was Holly Furphy in the 85th minute who claimed Australia's first goal of the tournament, slotting in a Keane assist.

The Aussies looked determined to reduce the deficit and find a win, but it wasn't to be, with the match ending 1-2 to Myanmar.

With Australia's 21 shots to Myanmar's 11 (and 8 and 4 on target respectively), the squad will be looking to take these lessons into their next match, when they face the Philippines on Sunday evening.

Match Details

Australia U-23:  1 (Holly Furphy 85')
Myanmar: 2 (May Thet Mon Myint 32' Win Theingi Tun 47')

Tournament: ASEAN Women’s Championship MSIG Serenity Cup™ 2025
Date: Thursday, 7 August 2025 
Venue: Việt Trì Stadium, Phú Thọ, Vietnam 
Kick-off: 4.30pm local / 7.30pm AEST

Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
Assistant Referees: Makoto Bozono (Japan) & Nuannid Donjangreed (Thailand) 

Australia U-20 XI: 12. Sally James (GK), 4. Ella Tonkin, 5. Aideen Keane, 7. Emilia Murray (21. Claudia Cicco 64'), 8. Georgia Cassidy (6. Isabel Gomez 78'), 10. Sofia Sakalis (9. Holly Furphy 64'), 11. Annalise Rasmussen (20. Leticia McKenna 64'), 14. Alicia Woods, 19. Grace Johnston, 22. Abbey Lemon (13. Alana Jancevski 64'), 23. Naomi Thomas-Chinnama (C)

Substitutes not used: 1. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 2. Alana Cerne, 15. Tori Tumeth, 16. Amy Chessari, 17. Sasha Grove, 18. Tahlia Franco (GK)

Yellow Card: Nil

Red Card: Nil