Australia U23’s 9-0 Timor Leste
By Kieran Yap 14/8/25
Above: Australia’s starting lineup. Photo: Football Australia
Australia’s U23 side has qualified for the semi finals of the ASEAN Championships with a 9-0 thrashing of Timor Leste in the final group game. Braces to Holly Furphy, Alana Jancevski (and possibly Aideen Keane OR Emilia Makris) were added to by goals from Emilia Makris, Leticia Mckenna and Grace Johnston to set up an encounter with hosts Vietnam on Saturday.
Continuing the recent tradition of rotating the captaincy, Isabel Gomez donned the armband for the must-win game. She was partnered in midfield by Georgia Cassidy with Mckenna deployed in playmaking role ahead of them.
The attack began with Furphy in the central position, flanked by Jancevski on the right and Keane on the left.
Tahlia Franco began in goal for her first appearance of the tournament. She was protected by Tori Tumeth, Ella Tonkin, and Grace Johnston in the defence, with Sasha Grove switching from the left side to right back.
This was a strong squad that had found their footing in the tournament with an impressive win against The Philippines and against the winless Timor Leste, they went in favourites, but still had a job to do.
A win would likely see them jump ahead of The Philippines in the group, but it still had to be done, and the Australian U23’s were on the front foot from the opening whistle.
It took only two minute for Furphy to open the scoring. Mckenna’s free kick curled in from the left wing and the Victory striker leapt highest to head the ball beyond Gorette da Costa in goal.
Another quick attack found the mobile Gomez on the left. Her cross was directed towards Furphy’s aggressive run, but wound up at the back post where Jancevski was able to score her second of the tournament.
Australia added a third in the 30th minute after Cassidy strode through the middle of the pitc. Her pass eventually found its way to Grove and the cross was on a platter for the well position Furphy to tap in for her fourth in The ASEAN Championships so far.
Johnston scored the most spectacular goal of the match in the shadows of half time. The Perth Glory defender cut inside from the left and unleashed a rocket from 25 yards to make it 4-0 at the break.
Australia made two changes at half time, Tumeth was replaced by Naomi Chinnama and Emilia Makris came on for Furphy. Australia were flexing their considerable depth and bringing on fresh players who could further influence the game.
The changes had an almost immediate effect. Makris’s introduction saw her take up position on the right wing, and the naturally left footed Jancevski scored her second with a long ball that the goalkeeper completely misjudged and mishandled.
No complaints from the Aussies. 5-0.
Jancevski was involved in the sixth goal for the now rampant Australia. She chased down a wide pass and whipped in a cross to the back post. Makris arrived right on time to finish from close range.
After being the architect of so many attacks, it was McKenna’s turn to score one for herself. The Melbourne City gun finished Johnston’s cross with a composed volley in the 18 yard box.
Box Hill United playmaker Sofia Sakalis then had a chance to show off the best of her game. Her vision and lofted pass dissected the Timor Leste defence and Aideen Keane’s control on the chest put her into enough space to finish unopposed.
The last goal of the evening was contentious. Some say Makris’s cross went in directly, some say it was an own goal. In real time it looked like Keane may have gotten the final feather touch.
In any case, the ball was in the net for the ninth time, Australia had reached the semi
Finals and gone one step better than the 2022 side.
Next up they likely face a huge crowd along with the hosts Vietnam. But the last two games should give the team and supporters every confidence they can reach the final for the first time since 2018.
Teams: Australia: Franco, Grove, Tumeth, Tonkin, Johnston, Gomez, Cassidy, McKenna, Jancevski, Furphy, Keane. Substitutes: Lincoln, James, Murray, Sakalis, Woods, Lemon, Chinnama, Cerne, Rasmussen, Chessari, Cicco.
Goals: Furphy 2’ 30’ Jancevski 11’ 46’ Johnston 44’ Makris 58’ McKenna 62’ Keane 79, Own Goal 82’
Timor Leste: da Costa, Conceição, Alves Belo, Martins, Fatima da Costa, Freitas Belo, Da Silva Costa, Amaral, Soares, Fernandes Songge. Substitutes: Sim, da Cruz, Bossa, da Silva, M da Silva, De Fátima Soares, Chavez, Sanhes Chaves, Canizio, Margareta Fernandes, Lawa, Avelina.
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