Australia's U-23 were dominant in their final MSIG Serenity Cup group tie as they secure progression to the knockout stages with a 9-0 victory over neighbours Timor-Leste in Viet Tri.
Six changes were made to the side that had defeated The Philippines 1-0 three days earlier in a grueling contest in the Vietnamese heat, with the turnover of players between games to be expected.
The match could not have started any better for the Australians, with a first-minute cross finding the head of Holly Furphy, who arched the ball over the out-stretched arm of the goalkeeper and into the far corner.
Joe Palatsides' side had the early momentum and were intent on locking in that last semi-final place. Qualification would ultimately be secured based on the result in Group B between Myanmar and the Philippines. However, a healthy margin of victory would shift a number of outcomes in that match into Australia's favour.
After 13 minutes, Alana Jancevski scored after a strong parry by the goalkeeper fell at the forward's feet inside the box. Jancevski's 'stirring the pot' celebration was an adequate summation of how Australia's dominance in this match was now very much stirring the dynamic of the group to their whim.
Holly Furphy would nab a brace on the half-hour mark following a brilliant individual run and then an assist by teammate Sasha Grove. Grace Johnston would round out the first half with a firm strike from outside the box that caught the goalkeeper unaware, beating her at her near post.
A sign of intent during the break by the coaching staff, two changes were made to the lineup with Murray and Thomas-Chinnama introduced. Seconds after the restart, Australia would score their fifth through Alana Jancevski, whose long-range effort was mishandled by the goalkeeper.
The substitution of Emilia Murray quickly showed its worth, as the forward timed her back-post run to perfection, latching onto a teammate's cross and converting from close range.
In the other match in Group B, Myanmar and the Philippines were even on the scoreboard, a result that helped Australia's efforts. However, as the scoring progressed, it became clear that the U-23s were possessing a firm grip over their destiny.
Leticia McKenna would convert the seventh of the night with a quality half-volley on the hour mark. That would be followed up by Aideen Keane, who picked the ball up inside Timor-Leste's penalty box with her back to goal, before producing a pirouette with the ball to swivel past her markers and tap home.
The final goal of the night would come via substitute Emilia Murray again, with the forward darting from the right flank before playing a low cross into the box, which was deflected off a defender and into the net.
The 1-1 result in the other group tie confirmed Australia as Group B runners-up, a position that places the green and gold in a semi-final berth with hosts Vietnam.
Match Details
Australia U-23: 9 (Furphy 2' 30', Jancevski 11' 46', Johnston 44', Makris 58', McKenna 62', Keane 79', Brigida (OG) 82')
Timor-Leste U-23: 0
Tournament: ASEAN Women's Championship MSIG Serenity Cup™ 2025
Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm local / 10.30pm AEST
Venue: Việt Trì Stadium, Phú Thọ, Vietnam
Australia U-23 XI: 18. Tahlia Franco (GK), 4. Ella Tonkin, 5. Aideen Keane, 6. Isabel Gomez (C) (10. Sofia Sakalis 46'), 8. Georgia Cassidy, 9. Holly Furphy (7. Emilia Makris 46'), 13. Alana Jancevski, 15. Tori Tumeth (23. Naomi Thomas-Chinnama 46'), 17. Sasha Grove (22. Abbey Lemon 46'), 19. Grace Johnston, 20. Leticia Mckenna (14. Alicia Woods 63')
Substitutes not used: 1. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 2. Alana Cerne, 11. Annalise Rasmussen, 12. Sally James (GK), 16. Amy Chessari, 21. Claudia Cicco
Yellow Card: Nil
Red Card: Nil
