As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, ASEAN United FC talks to Singapore’s Danelle Tan and Madison Casteen from Thailand, two of Southeast Asia’s most exciting players, about their love for football and what it means to inspire future generations to take up the sport.
We aked Tan and Casteen what it means to be a woman footballer, to pursue a career in the sport and the successes they have achieved, the difference that elite level athletes make in inspiring future generations and they impact they themselves are making on aspiring women athletes. Here’s what they had to say.
DANELLE TAN
INTERNATIONAL STAR, SINGAPORE NATIONAL TEAM FORWARD
Singapore forward Danelle Tan has already managed to pack a host of achievements into her relatively short career, playing in England for the London Bees, in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and at Brisbane Roar in Australia.
Last season she took the next step in her career as she signed for Tokyo Verdy Beleza, the reigning WE League champions in Japan and one of the most successful clubs in the women’s game in Asia. She is also an established Singapore international.
“It’s been my dream to play football professionally. Now that I am playing professionally, my goals and dreams have taken on a different shape. It’s no longer enough to simply have made it, I need to continue pushing myself to thrive and excel at this next level. It is not easy, but such is the life of an athlete. You're always iterating, always growing.
“I hope that my journey has been an example to the next generation that this road is possible. Growing up, I never knew becoming a professional footballer was even possible. I had never seen a woman do it. When you can't see the path, it's almost impossible to believe you can walk it. I want to change that. I want young girls to look at what I'm doing and think: that could be me.
“There are many, but one stays with me. A mother once sent me a photo of her daughter dressed up as me for Book Week, that annual school tradition where children come as their favourite characters. She told me her daughter was "so inspired" that she wanted to become me for a day. She saw a future for herself in football because she saw me living it. I’m only 21 years old but to think that my journey could open even the smallest window for her, that meant so much.
“I carry a lot of firsts. The first Singaporean female footballer to play in a European league. The first to win a European cup title. The first to win a European league. I don’t take any of that for granted. But I also know want to achieve more than just the charting of a new path.
“As an athlete, I’m always looking to improve and win more trophies. So while I’m happy with where I am right now and proud of all that I’ve achieved, I’m also not settled. I want to win more. I want to compete at higher and higher levels. And continue to win.”
MADISON CASTEEN
RISING STAR, THAI NATIONAL TEAM
Forward Madison Casteen is one of the emerging stars of the women’s game in the region and, despite being just 18 years old, was a key member of the Thailand team that reached the semi-finals of the ASEAN Women’s MSIG Serenity Cup™ in Vietnam last year.
Casteen, who is part of the North Carolina State Women’s Soccer program in the United States, scored three times at the MSIG Serenity Cup™ 2025 and is establishing herself as an increasingly important member of the Thailand squad.
“It means the world to me. I'm so lucky to be in the position I am in and it's something I've dreamed of ever since I was just a little girl. I'm honestly honoured to be in this position in which I can inspire people through my everyday actions.
“Personally, it's setting an example for the younger generation. I want the younger girls to know that anything's possible with passion, perseverance, and resilience. Also, it's not just about how talented you are or how many achievements you have accomplished, it's also about being a good person at the end of the day.
“I've had individuals approach me and tell me that I'm a huge motivation for either them or their daughters. Um, this kind of helps keep me grounded and realizing soccer is not just a game, but also a key aspect in teaching the younger generation lifelong skills.
“I am proud of myself for everything that I have accomplished, but I'm not satisfied yet. I want to continue to strive to become the best player and person possible, on and off the field, as well as continuing to grow as a larger inspiration and role model for the younger generation throughout the years.”
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