Photo: Myanmar vs the Philippines - Asean Women MSIG Serenity Cup 2025 in Vietnam
HAI PHONG, Vietnam: The Asean Women MSIG Serenity Cup 2025 in Vietnam is truly well under way with the unheralded Myanmar team stealing the show.
Myanmar has been unbeaten in the tournament and started with a smashing display when they upset the much-favoured Australia 2-1. They defeated Timor-Leste next 3-0 and, on Wednesday (August 13), Myanmar held the Philippines to a 1-1 draw to top Group B and send the defending champions out of the tournament.
Australia, despite the surprise defeat to Myanmar, also progressed to the semi-finals after a big 9-0 win against Timor-Leste in the other match on Wednesday.
For the record, the 2025 Asean Women's Championship (also called the Asean MSIG Serenity Cup 2025) is the 13th edition of the premier Asean women's football tournament in the region.
It was also previously known as the AFF Women's Championship. The international women's football tournament is organised by the Asean Football Federation (AFF).
As for the action in the field, it seems Myanmar is basking in the spotlight for now. In the match against defending champion Philippines, Myanmar captain Win Theingi Tun converted her tournament-leading fifth goal with a first-half penalty at Lạch Tray Stadium.
Although Nina Mathelus levelled for the Philippines with 19 minutes left, it was not enough to prevent Myanmar from setting up a semi-final meeting against Thailand on Saturday.
Meanwhile, at VietTrì Stadium, Holly Furphy and Alana Jancevski both scored twice while further strikes from Grace Johnston, Emilia Murray, Leticia McKenna, and Aideen Keane, plus a late own goal by Brigida da Costa, earned Australia a 9-0 win over Timor-Leste as they advanced to meet hosts Vietnam in the last four.
Photo: Australia vs Timor Leste - Asean Women MSIG Serenity Cup 2025 in Vietnam
Victories against Australia and Timor-Leste in their earlier games meant Myanmar only needed to avoid defeat by more than a single goal against the Philippines to reach the last four.
But Tetsuro Uki’s side showed little sign of caution and they had the opportunity to take the lead in the 33rd minute when Win Theingi Tun was brought down in the box by Olivia McDaniel as she raced on to a fine through ball by Khin Mo Mo Tun.
The Myanmar captain picked herself off the floor and sent the Philippines goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to notch her fifth goal of the tournament.
The Philippines struggled to create opportunities, but they got back on level terms in the 71st minute when Adelaide Wyrzynski’s cross from the right of the Myanmar box found an unmarked Nina Mathelus, who stabbed the ball past Myo Mya Mya Nyein.
However, the Philippines were unable to fashion any more clear-cut chances against Myanmar’s well-organised defence, and they were fortunate not to concede another goal in stoppage time as McDaniel produced a big save to deny Yoon Wadi Hlaing on the counter-attack.
Myanmar finished the group stage with seven points, one ahead of Australia, who cruised to victory against Timor-Leste.
The winners of the MSIG Player of the Match award: Philippines v Myanmar: Win Theingi Tun (#7), Myanmar; Australia v Timor-Leste: Alana Jancevski (#13), Australia.
Semifinals (Lach Tray Stadium - Saturday, Aug 16): Myanmar vs Thailand; Vietnam vs Singapore
Note: The four matches in the knock-out stage will see Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology implemented for the first time in the history of the Asean Women’s Championship.
For more information about the MSIG Serenity CupTM 2025 and other Asean United FC events, visit: https://aseanutdfc.com/ and @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.
