Philippine women’s football team suffer shock loss against Australia’s U-23 team

The Philippine women’s football team is keeping it positive despite losing 1-0 against Australia’s U-23 squad bringing an end to their title defense last Sunday, in the ASEAN Women’s Championship at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam. 

Coach Mark Torcaso remained upbeat after the Filipinas’ 1-0 loss, which came after Alana Jancevski scored just before halftime. “I wouldn’t say it’s a bad result,” he said. “I would say that it would be something that we have to work on and obviously be better in the next game, to get the win.” 

“I’m not happy that we lost, but I’m extremely proud of our players,” Torcaso said after the match.“We’ve got a very, very young group, and we’re proud of how they fought until the final whistle.” He added. 

The Filipinas’ hopes of at least securing a draw slipped away, despite a golden chance in the 52nd minute when Hali Long connected on a header from a set piece. With the opportunity gone, the squad was left scrambling and now faces a must-win scenario in their final Group B clash against Myanmar on Wednesday.

🚨 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 🚨

Up next is a very familiar foe.

🆚 🇵🇭🇲🇲
🗓️ August 13, Wednesday
⏰ 7:30 pm Local/8:30 pm PHT
🏟️ Lạch Tray Stadium, Haiphong
📺 Watch via the PFF Facebook page
📲 #PFF #Studio300 #SamaSama #MSIGSerenityCup #LabanFilipinasParaSaBayan pic.twitter.com/djgny35iLH

— Philippine Women’s National Football Team (@PilipinasWNFT) August 12, 2025

The defending champions from 2022 have slid to third in the standings with three points, earned from their dominant 7-0 rout of Timor-Leste. Although level on points with Australia, the Philippines sits behind due to the head-to-head result, while Myanmar surged to the top of the table with six points.

In Sunday’s other Group B encounter, Myanmar cruised past Timor-Leste, 3-0. The top two sides from the group will progress to the semifinals, joining Thailand and host nation Vietnam.

Winning over Myanmar will ensure the Filipinas with a spot in the last four, but a draw or a loss will ultimately end their title hopes. 

“Obviously as defending champions, there’s pressure,” said Torcaso. “But I believe our players took on some pressure [against Australia] and that’s gonna help them grow. 

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