It was a busy period of international football action in the October window with seven Southeast Asian nations testing themselves against teams from across the world.
Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos were among the ones who were warming up for the upcoming ASEAN Women’s Cup 2024 scheduled to take place from November 23 to December 5.
Meanwhile, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar measured themselves against global opposition in an exciting set of fixtures this month. ASEAN United FC keeps you updated with a recap of all the women’s international football action.
Bolden stars as Filipinas oust Jordan in Turkey
Back in 2018, Sarina Bolden announced her arrival on the international stage when she scored her first national team goal, a 76th-minute winner to stun hosts Jordan at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2018.
It was a landmark moment marking the Philippines’ maiden Women’s Asian Cup victory with Bolden emerging as the poster girl and then also going on to score their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal last year. More than six years on from the striker's exploits in Jordan, it was a slice of the past for Bolden and Co.!
The Philippines took to the pitch in the Pink Ladies Cup, held at the Emirhan Football Centre in Antalya, Turkey as they defeated Jordan 3-0 on Saturday, October 26 with Italy-based Bolden netting a double while Katrina Guillou also got on the scoresheet.
Four days later, Bolden was once again on target for her 31st international goal but this time the Filipinas fell to a 4-1 loss at the hands of Kenya.
Red-hot Myanmar bag eight goals in two matches
The Myanmar women’s national team were at their very best in the October international window as they took on Hong Kong at home in a pair of friendly matches.
A full-strength team featuring the likes of captain Khin Marlar Tun and Win Theingi Tun stormed to a 4-1 win at Thuwunna Stadium on October 23.
A few days later, the exact scoreline was repeated as Myanmar once again emerged 4-1 winners this time at the Yangon United Sports Centre to conclude a highly successful international window for Tetsuro Uki’s girls.
Malayan Tigress earn plaudits in the UAE
The Malaysia women’s national team travelled to the United Arab Emirates during the international window to play in a couple of matches held at the Dubai Police Stadium.
The Steffi Sarge Kaur-led side held a strong Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in their first match and then showed grit and determination to come from behind to beat Laos 3-1 with Juliana Barek, Adrienna Zamzaihiri and Ayuna Anjani on the scoresheet.
The Laotians suffered further disappointment when they were beaten 4-0 by Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Vietnam down Uzbeks; Indonesia rub shoulders against the Dutch
In Trung Khanh, the northeast of Vietnam, the women’s national team beat the visiting Uzbekistan side 2-0 on October 23 thanks to goals from Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung and Pham Hai Yen.
On Wednesday, Vietnam put up a valiant display against World No. 18 and reigning Asian champions China PR but Mai Duc Chung’s side eventually went down 2-0.
Elsewhere, Indonesia gained valuable experience playing against one of the elite nations, current World No. 11 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners-up Netherlands at their home in Doetinchem, in a match that Indonesia lost 15-0.
Thailand, meanwhile travelled all the way to Mexico but fell short in both of their matches, 2-0 and 4-0 defeats against Venezuela and the hosts respectively in what they will take as a learning curve in their bid to return amongst Asia’s elite.
Photo: Philippine Women’s National Football Team
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