Filipinas fall to Australia U23 in ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup

The Philippines’ title defense in the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup suffered a setback on Sunday night, August 10, with a 1-0 defeat to Australia U23 at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam.

Australia’s Alana Jancevski scored the lone goal in first-half stoppage time, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by Azumi Oka to slot a left-footed shot past Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.

Both teams now have three points in Group B. The Filipinas previously overwhelmed Timor-Leste, 7-0, in their opener, while Australia kept their semifinal hopes alive with their first win of the tournament.

The Philippines will next face unbeaten Myanmar on Wednesday, August 13, at Lach Tray Stadium in Haiphong, needing a positive result to secure a semifinal berth. Australia U23 will play winless Timor-Leste on the same night.

The Filipinas’ best opportunity came in the 53rd minute, when Hali Long’s header from a Chandler McDaniel corner was denied by Australian keeper Chloe Bell Lincoln.

The result also provided a measure of revenge for Australia, who lost 1-0 to the Philippines in the 2022 edition of the tournament, previously known as the AFF Women’s Championship.