The Philippines 0-1 Australia U23’s
By Kieran Yap 11/8/25
Above: Australia’s starting lineup. Photo: Football Australia.
Australia’s Under 23 side has given their ASEAN Championship hopes a boost with a 1-0 win over The Philippines senior team in the second group game. Alana Jancevski’s first half solo goal was all that separated the sides on the scoresheet although both goalkeepers had a big say in the result.
Australia’s loss to Myanmar in the opening game was a surprise, but they faced a well-conditioned, well prepared side on the back of only one training session together themselves. The result meant that this was a must win encounter against a side favoured to top the group.
Australia made 10 changes to that lineup with only Analisse Rasmussen retaining her spot. Sasha Grove took up duties at left back, while Leticia McKenna was given the playmaking role in a side captained by Sydney FC defender Tori Tumeth.
In attack, Rasmussen was the centre forward, flanked by Melbourne Victory duo Jancevski and Holly Furphy.
Australia dominated possession for much of the game. But The Philippines were very well structured and hard to break down, often forcing the Aussies into backward passes after patiently gaining territory.
Jancevski had the first meaningful shot on goal with a long range strike on the turn, and forced Olivia McDaniel into a diving save.
Australia looked more dangerous with longer, more direct passes or when McKenna was able to get on the ball around the 18 yard box. Isabel Gomez grew into the game and started to replicate her game from the A-League Women. The Mariner’s midfielder has an ability to dribble through the midfield and used that to break up the Philippines structure when possible.
Right back Claudia Cicco linked up with Mckenna to play the city attacker in on goal, but her shot from the angle was parried with a stinging save from McDaniel.
With the midfield crowded long balls from both sides looked to be the best route to goal, but the deadlock was broken by a superb individual effort from Jancevski.
She won the ball on the right after snapping in with an interception, held off the defender and cut inside the penalty box. McDaniel had almost every angle covered, but Jancevski found the one ball-sized gap left and curled her shot into the far bottom corner with perfect placement.
The goal came in the dying stages of the first half, and meant that The Philippines who only really needed a draw from this match would have to adjust in the second half.
Gomez’s influence and confidence continued to grow in the second half. Her pass for Furphy created a good chance that McDaniel had to attend to and a later cross set up Rasmussen to be denied once again.
At the other end it was time for some heroics from Chloe Lincoln in the Aussie goal. The new Brisbane Roar signing did very well to stop Hali Long’s header from finding the net.
As the half wore on, The Philippines pressed in search of and equaliser, and Australia looked to kill off the game. Furphy had another chance after linking up with Aideen Keane, and Gomez continued to knit play in the middle, with Mckenna the beneficiary of a great pass in the 90th minute. Once again McDaniel produced a good save.
The win gives Australia hope of escaping the group stage, but with Myanmar defeating Timor-Leste 3-0, they sit atop the table as the only side with two wins. Australia need a big win in the final game and hope that Myanmar continue their strong form in order to jump into second place and guarantee progression.
Regardless of what happens in the near future, this was an impressive, cohesive and determined win by Australia against a very good side and the current trophy holders. Philippines coach Mark Torcaso remained rightfully proud of his side despite the defeat, pointing out that they introduced two teenagers to international football, and that is what Australia’s U23’s can take from this game too.
What was essentially an A-League Women all star team adapted well to difficult conditions and a dangerous opponent. They were able to grow into the game, create chances and once they found themselves in a winning position they were able to hold onto it and adjust to the opposition’s change in tactics and mindset.
This was a good win, and sets up exciting possibilities for the future.
Teams: PHILIPPINES: O McDaniel, Oka, Long, Hawkinson, DeFazio, Lemoran, De Las Alas Pidding, Pasion, Cesar, C McDaniel, Quezada. Substitutes: Mathelus, Tolentin, Arcenal Chan, Caprio, Wyrzynski, Schinaman, J DeFazio, Weibel, Palacios.
AUSTRALIA U23: Lincoln, Cicco, Tumeth, Cerne, Grove, Jancevski, Chessari, Gomez, Furphy, McKenna, Rasmussen. Substitutes: Tonkin, Keane, Woods, Murray, Cassidy, Sakalis, James, Franco, Johnson, Lemon, Chinnama.
Goals: Jancevski 45’
Referee: TBC
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