The Australian Women's Futsal Team have been defeated 1-0 by Chinese Taipei in their final game of the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025™.
The result means that they failed to progress from their group and will not participate in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Head Coach Miles Downie made two changes to the starting five from the last game. Zoee Spadano and Amy Barker came into the starting side, replacing Alexia Karrys-Stahl and Daisy Arrowsmith.
The first half was one of few chances. As usual, Captain Trudy Camilleri was highly involved in winning the ball and creating opportunities from turnovers, but was not able to create anything clear-cut.
Chinese Taipei came close in the 15th minute when Sarah Easthope was called into action to make two good saves in a row. However, it was Australia who left a scoreless first half feeling like they were the team more likely to score.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with Australia looking generally more threatening, but without ever being dominant.
Zoee Spadano had a shot saved after winning the ball near halfway in the 23rd minute before Trudy Camilleri forced another fantastic save from Chinese Taipei after a similar situation five minutes later.
Goalscorer against China PR, Alexia Karrys-Stahl, was called into defensive action when Chinese Taipei had a free kick just outside the penalty area. Her clearance on the line in the 30th minute prevented Taipei from taking the lead.
Despite Australia's industry, however, it would be their opponents who would take the lead. Liu Chih-Ling won the ball in midfield and made no mistake with the finish. With four minutes remaining, Chinese Taipei broke Australian hearts - and it was a lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
Head Coach Miles Downie tried everything, including the use of a power play, with Amy Barker as the fifth outfield player. An equaliser was not to be.
Australia's first-ever Women's Futsal Asian Cup campaign ends with disappointing results on the court but plenty to build on for the future.
Match Summary
Chinese Taipei: 1 (Liu Chih-Ling 36')
Australia: 0
Australia: 1. Sarah Easthope (GK), 2. Gisella Pipino, 3. Estelle Fragale, 4. Alexia Karrys-Stahl, 5. Jessica McLean (GK), 6. Amy Barker, 7. Jessica Au, 8. Daisy Arrowsmith, 9. Marianna Tabain, 10. Trudy Camilleri (C), 11. Halle Smit, 12. Zoee Spadano, 13. Meaghan McElligott, 14. Claudia Fruscalzo.
