* Scorer: Furphy 66’.

Before the final at Lach Tray Stadium, Australia had lost to Myanmar 1-0 in their opening Group B match. However, they didn't field their strongest team in that game and hadn't yet adapted to the Vietnamese weather.

Australia's performance improved as the tournament progressed, including a 1-0 victory over defending champions, the Philippines, in their final group stage match to secure a semi-final spot. They then defeated hosts Vietnam 2-1 to reach the final.

Australia (in green) defeated Myanmar 1-0 in the final of the 2025 ASEAN Women's U23 Championship at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong on 19/8/2025. Photo: Hoang Huynh

Facing Myanmar again, Australia dominated in all aspects. They controlled 64% of possession, taking 12 shots with six on target, while Myanmar's corresponding figures were four and two. With a bit more luck, the team from Oceania could have won by a larger margin.

In the 5th minute, from a corner on the right, Holly Furphy controlled the ball close to the goal but couldn't get a shot off under pressure from a Myanmar defender. In the 13th minute, Cassidy's left-footed shot from about 25 meters forced goalkeeper Mya Mya Nyein into a difficult save.

Myanmar tried to push forward but struggled to penetrate Chloe Lincoln's goal.

For the remainder of the first half, Australia sought to exploit their height advantage during set-pieces. In the third minute of added time, Sasha Grove dribbled past three players on the left wing before shooting from a tight angle, but Nyein made another save.

Holly Furphy (center in green) scored in the 66th minute to give Australia a 1-0 victory over Myanmar in the final of the 2025 ASEAN Women's U23 Championship. Photo: Hoang Huynh

In the second half, Australia hit the Myanmar crossbar twice. First, a long-range shot from Claudia Cicco in the 52nd minute, followed by a free-kick from Cassidy in the 58th minute.

Finally, their efforts were rewarded in the 66th minute. From Aideen Keane's precise cross, Holly Furphy slid in, making imperfect contact with the ball, but it still curled into the right corner for the only goal of the match.

Myanmar were forced to push forward, but their lack of stamina prevented them from equalizing, and they ultimately lost 1-0.

This narrow victory gave Australia their second Southeast Asian title, after their win in 2008. This achievement equals Myanmar’s record, who won the championship in 2004 and 2007.

This was the second time Australia has sent their U23 team to the ASEAN Women's Championship since joining the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006. In 2022, they failed to progress beyond the group stage. Previously, Australia sent their B team to the 2008 tournament and their U20 team to four tournaments: 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018.

The 2025 ASEAN Women's Championship concluded after almost two weeks of competition in Hai Phong and Phu Tho. Vietnam secured third place after defeating Thailand 3-1 in the third-place play-off.

Starting Lineups:

Australia U23: Chloe Lincoln, Alana Cerne, Tori Tumeth, Isabel Gomez, Georgia Cassidy, Claudia Cicco, Holly Furphy, Amy Chessari, Aideen Keane, Alana Jancevski, Sasha Grove

Myanmar: Myo Mya Mya Nyein, Phyu Phwe, Lin Lae Oo, Zune Yu Ya Oo, May Thet Mon Myint, Phyu Phyu Win, Naw Htet Htet Wai, San Thaw Thaw, Khin Mo Mo Tun, Win Theingi Tun, Yu Per Khaing.

Hieu Luong