Australia entered the 2025 ASEAN women's cup with its U23 squad. In their opening group B match, struggling with the heat, Australia surprisingly lost 2-1 to Myanmar. Once acclimated, they defeated the defending champions, the Philippines, 1-0 and then routed Timor Leste 9-0 to reach the semi-finals. Vietnam won all three group stage matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding none.

Over 13 ASEAN women's cups, Vietnam has won the title three times, second only to Thailand with four championships. After winning in 2019, Vietnam lost the title to the Philippines in 2022. Players from the 2019 winning team, such as Kim Thanh, Huynh Nhu, Hai Yen, and Tuyet Dung, remain key figures in this year's tournament. In fact, 15 of the 23 players in Vietnam's squad are 30 or older.

Before tonight's clash at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong, the two teams have never met, although the Australia U23 team won the ASEAN cup once in 2008. The winner of tonight's match will advance to the final against Myanmar on 19/8.

Vy Anh