Australia U-23 slips past Filipinas for crucial win in Serenity Cup

August 11 ------ Australia's under-23 squad turned the tables on the Philippines for a gritty 1-0 win in the 2025 MSIG Serenity Cup at the Việt Trì Stadium in Vietnam.

In 2022, the Filipinas had shocked Australia by the same scoreline to set the stage for a historic campaign that ended with them lifting the trophy on home soil. Three years later, Australia pulled off the reversal for their first win in Group B, keeping them in the hunt for a place in the semifinals.

Alana Jancevski was the difference-maker for Australia, as she scored at the stroke of halftime to shatter the deadlock and reward her team's aggression throughout the first 45 minutes. The Melbourne Victory player dispossessed Azumi Oka and fired a left-footed strike to the bottom right corner, just out of reach for Olivia McDaniel. It was a hard-earned goal for the young Australian squad, who enjoyed majority of the possession in the first half but struggled to break down the Philippines' defense.

A more aggressive Philippine side came out in the second half, but their chances were still few and far between. They had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 53rd minute after winning their first corner of the game, but Hali Long's header was denied by Australian 'keeper Chloe Lincoln. Malea Cesar also had a chance in the 68th minute but her right-footed strike was parried by Lincoln.

McDaniel did well to deny Australia late, pulling off an impressive double-save against Leticia McKenna and Alicia Woods. But the Filipinas' offense was lacking, and a late strike by substitute Inday Tolentin went wide right. With the result, both the Philippines and Australia now have three points in Group B, behind Myanmar which has six points off two wins. The Filipinas are thus in a must-win situation when they play Myanmar on Wednesday, August 13. Australia will take on winless Timor-Leste on the same day.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com