Hải Phòng – First-half goals from Aideen Keane and Laticia McKenna earned Australia a 2-1 win over hosts Vietnam at Lạch Tray Stadium in the semi-finals of the ASEAN Women’s MSIG Serenity Cup™ 2025 on Saturday to set up a meeting with Myanmar in Tuesday’s final.
Keane put Joseph Palatsides’ side ahead in the sixth minute while McKenna doubled the advantage 11 minutes later and, although Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy struck two minutes from time to give the hosts hope, Australia advanced to their first final since 2018.
The Australians were celebrating early as Keane put her side in front, the Canberra United forward racing into the six-yard box to beat Trần Thị Kim Thanh to McKenna’s cross from the left as it bent towards goal.
Chương Thị Kiều flashed a header across the Australian goal from Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy’s free-kick six minutes later in response but by the 17th minute the visitors had doubled their lead.
Holly Furphy held off Lê Thị Diễm My to deliver possession to McKenna as she strode forward and the 23-year-old midfielder unleashed a left-foot shot from more than 20 yards out that Kim Thanh was unable to reach as the ball flew towards the top corner.
The Vietnamese pushed for a way back into the game, Ngân Thị Vạn Sự teeing up Huỳnh Như with a well-weighted pass into the penalty area to shoot goalward in the 26th minute and force Australia goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln into action with a save to her right.
Vạn Sự dragged her shot from distance wide in the 58th minute while moments later the Australians responded, McKenna pulling her attempt into the side-netting from eight yards out and Alana Cerne shooting just off target with a close-range effort.
Isabel Gomez then bent her right-foot shot wide when she cut in from the left side and substitute Sasha Grove headed wide as the Australians sought to put the result beyond doubt.
Bích Thùy saw her late shot fumbled over the goal-line by Lincoln to give the home fans encouragement, but Australia held on to confirm their progress to the final.
MSIG Player of the Match - Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy (#23), Vietnam
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