By: Gil Moriones
MANILA -- The tables finally turned for the duel between the Philippines and Australia U23 after the Young Matildas beat the defending champions in a narrow 1–0 win in the 2025 ASEAN Women's MSIG Serenity Cup, Sunday night at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam.
Olivia McDaniel led the defensive voyage of the Filipinas, saving two crucial stunner attempts in the first half, not until the added minutes of the 45th-minute mark.
With the crucial defensive error committed by Azumi Oka with her turnover, Alana Jancevski found an opportunity to boot her attempt, slotting the ball successfully to establish the Matildas' lead before heading to the dugout, 1–0.
Hali Long was determined to equalize the game after an accurate feed from Chandler McDaniel from the corner at the 52nd minute, but it went wide.
Olivia again produced her heroic deed after another cited defensive error from the Filipinas, as she made a double save in the sequence of the 89th-minute mark, keeping Australia to the one-goal cushion.
This was their first victory, not just for this tournament after their defeat at the hands of Myanmar, but also in their head-to-head battle against the Philippines since their debut in the 2022 AFF Women's Championship in Manila, where the Filipinas, fresh from the Women's World Cup qualification, were able to win against them, 1–0.
Although better in terms of goal difference, the Filipinas fell to 3rd place in Group B, while Australia climbed to 2nd spot due to head-to-head tiebreaking after sharing a win-loss record equating to three points.
The Filipinas will finish Group B business as they face Myanmar on Tuesday, who earlier beat Timor-Leste, 3–0.
The game result put the Filipinas into a tricky scenario, where a possible win vs. Myanmar and the Matildas’ win vs. Timor-Leste would result in a statistical tie in the standings between Myanmar, the Filipinas, and Australia U23.
Thus, this remains their assignment — a must-win against the 56th-ranked team in the FIFA Women's Rankings, regardless of scoreline.
