MYANMAR women’s national football team produced a brave performance but narrowly lost 1-0 to Australia U-23 in the final of the MSIG Serenity Cup 2025 at the Vet Tri Stadium in Vietnam on 19 August.
Myanmar set out with a disciplined defensive approach and looked dangerous on the counter in the opening half. The best moment for the Myanmar Lioness came just past the half-hour mark when striker Win Theingi Tun broke free and fired an effort at goal, but her strike drifted wide in what could have been a decisive opener. The half-time whistle arrived with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
Australia came out with renewed intensity in the second half, adjusting their tactics to a quicker, high-press style that gradually wore down Myanmar’s defence. The increased tempo forced Myanmar to defend deeper, and fatigue began to show.
The breakthrough arrived in 66 minutes when Australia’s Furphy pounced inside the area to score what proved to be the only goal of the contest. Despite Myanmar’s efforts to push forward late on, they could not find a way past the Australian defence.
The result saw Australia U23 claim the Serenity Cup trophy, while Myanmar proudly secured the silver medal. For Myanmar, reaching the final itself was a statement of progress, as the team showed resilience and tactical discipline against higher-ranked opponents.
The narrow defeat capped a spirited campaign for the Myanmar women, whose defensive organization and counterattacking threat were standout features of their run to the final. With more international exposure and continued development, Myanmar will aim to build on this momentum in future tournaments.
Alana Jancevski of Australia was honoured with the Adidas Rising Star award for her outstanding performance during the tournament, while her teammate Holly Furphy received the MSIG Most Valuable Player award for her exceptional contributions throughout the competition. Myanmar’s Myo Mya Mya Nyein claimed the Best Goalkeeper award, showcasing brilliant shot-stopping skills, and captain Win Theingi Tun secured the Top Goal Scorer award with seven goals. The bronze medal went to host Vietnam, which defeated Thailand 3-1 in the third-place match held earlier on the same day. — KZL
