AFF Women's Cup: Singapore Lionesses Secure Historic Semi-Final Berth with 3-1 Victory Over Malaysia
- John Yeong
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Lionesses Roar into AFF Women’s Cup Semi-Finals After Historic Win Over Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, 17 JULY 2026 - Singapore’s women’s football team has officially punched their ticket to the semi-finals of the AFF Women’s Cup in Kuala Lumpur, following a decisive 3-1 victory over Malaysia on July 16. This crucial win not only propelled the team to the top of Group A but also marked a significant milestone, ending a 19-year winless streak against their Causeway rivals.
A Historic Breakthrough
Heading into the match at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium, the pressure was on for the Lionesses. Following a 1-1 draw against Laos on July 10, Singapore needed a strong performance to keep their tournament hopes alive. The squad delivered, ending a six-game winless drought against the 95th-ranked Malaysian side—a feat the Republic had not achieved since a 1-0 victory in an Asian Cup qualifier back in 2007.
With this win, world No. 151 Singapore finished at the summit of Group A with four points. They are joined in the final four by runners-up Laos, who secured their spot with two points.
Match Highlights: Dominance on the Pitch
The Lionesses set the tone early, maintaining intensity throughout the 90 minutes:
13th Minute: Yuvika Suresh broke the deadlock, capitalising on a defensive error from Malaysian goalkeeper Asma Junaidi to fire home from close range.
First-Half Stoppage: Nur Sarah Zu’risqha orchestrated a brilliant play, intercepting a pass in midfield and delivering a precise ball to Danelle Tan, who coolly doubled Singapore's lead to 2-0.
59th Minute: Malaysia found a glimmer of hope when Henrietta Justine converted a cross from Nur Ainsyah to make it 2-1.
73rd Minute: Danelle Tan secured her brace, calmly slotting home a penalty after being brought down in the box, effectively sealing the 3-1 victory for Singapore.
Looking Ahead to the Semi-Finals
The victory sets up a high-stakes semi-final clash for the Lionesses. Singapore is set to face Group B runners-up Indonesia on July 19, while Laos will challenge Group B winners Cambodia for the other spot in the final.
The stakes remain high for all participants, as the top three teams in this tournament will earn qualification for the prestigious Asean Women’s Championship. After yesterday’s commanding performance, the Singapore Lionesses carry significant momentum into the knockout stages as they look to continue their historic run in Malaysia.
