The CommBank Junior Matildas have emerged as champions in the ASEAN U16 Girls Championship 2025 following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Thailand in the final.
A tap-in by substitute Theo Mouithys Mickalad just after half-time proved to be the difference in a contest that presented few chances for either side.
With just a two-day turnaround between the final and the semi-final against Indonesia, it would have been expected that coach Mike Cooper would continue the tradition of rotation as seen in the previous matches throughout the tournament.
There were substantial changes to the lineup, with six made, including the goalkeeper. However, it was the least of the tournament, highlighting Cooper's established core group of players, which included the likes of captain Jugovic, back-line stalwarts Pearson and Sarris, and attacking weapons Leong and Apsland.
Thailand would be the side to threaten early, with two counter-attacks along their right side ending in shots at Australia's goal, both on target but neither troubling Croll, who was positioned well to smother the ball.
The opposition were incredibly well-disciplined, which made pockets of space around their defence hard to come by. The CommBank Junior Matildas had to resort to long shots in the first half.
In the 30th minute, Muir struck from distance, forcing a save from the keeper, before captain Jugovic did the same, this time from the left flank with her strike causing more trouble, as the ball swerved in its path before being collected by the Thai shot stopper.
In a courageous move by the Australian coaching staff, three substitutions were made before and during half-time. Corbett was brought on first in the 42nd, while Luong and Mouithys Mickalad were introduced at the break.
That decision would ultimately lead Australia to the title, as a game dominated by structure produced one moment of chaos, thanks to two of those impact players.
A free-kick in the 49th minute was delivered right into the six-yard box by Corbett, with the Thai defenders and goalkeeper apprehensive in their pursuit. The weak clearance by the keeper deflected kindly to the feet of Mouithys Mickalad, who made no mistake in tapping the ball in from beside the penalty spot.
Again, the chances for either side dried up, as Thailand pushed for an equalizer, yet found significant resistance, with long-range efforts being their main route to Croll's goal.
Two final changes were made to solidify the result, with captain Jugovic brought off through injury, with Gavranci and later Hussein subbed on with 15 minutes to play.
The CommBank Young Matildas would eventually do enough to hang on, with the final whistle confirming their return as ASEAN U16 Girls Championship winners, a feat replicated once, in 2019.
Australia dominated the individual awards, with Annabelle Croll awarded Best Goalkeeper, while captain Kaya Jugovic receiving the Most Valuable Player accolade.
Match Details
CommBank Junior Matildas: 1 (Theo Mouithys Mickalad 49')
Thailand U-16: 0
Tournament: ASEAN U16 Girls' Championship 2025
Date: Friday, 29 August 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm WIB / 10.30pm AEST
Venue: Manahan Stadium, Surakarta
CommBank Junior Matildas XI: 1. Annabelle Croll (GK), 2. Willa Pearson, 4. Keira Sarris, 8. Kaya Jugovic (C) (15. Mikaela Gavranic 63'), 9. Matilda Dias Wadewitz (21. Theo Mouithys Mickalad 46'), 11. Zoe Panagopoulos (7. Claire Corbett 42'), 13. Maeve Nicholas, 16. Tehya Aspland (5. Liana Luong 46'), 17. Mary Dal Broi, 20. Sakura Leong, 22. Hayley Muir (10. Leyla Hussein 75')
Substitutes: 3. Arabella Ryan, 6. Aeryn Tarrant, 12. Amelie Millar (GK), 14. Jada Taylor, 18. Dali Gorr Burchmore (GK), 19. Sarena Elborogi, 23. Abbie Puckett
