🇦🇺 History Makers: Australia Women’s National Futsal Team – ASEAN Championship 2026

Source: Football Australia's Facebook Page

I’ve been involved in futsal for most of my life.

I’ve seen strong teams. I’ve seen heartbreaking losses. I’ve seen programs take years to build before they finally break through.

What I saw at the ASEAN Women's Futsal Championship 2026, hosted in Thailand, was a breakthrough moment for Australian women’s futsal.

Yes, the final result says Thailand 5–4 Australia.

Yes, we finished runners up.

But this campaign was bigger than a scoreline.

This was progress.This was belief.This was a statement that Australia belongs in the conversation at this level.

And this is huge for futsal in Australia — especially for women’s futsal.

The Squad

🧤 Goalkeepers

• Brianna Clarke – Eastern Suburbs Hakoah FC (Football NSW)

• Sarah Easthope – Dural Warriors FC (Football NSW)

🔵 Outfield Players

• Grace Arnold – UTS Northside FC (Football NSW)

• Jessica Au – Melbourne AKU FC (Football Victoria)

• Ariella Cabezas – UTS Northside FC (Football NSW)

• Trudy Camilleri – Mascot Vipers FC (Football NSW)

• Nikkita Fazzari – Unattached

• Claudia Fruscalzo – Fitzroy Tigers FC (Football Victoria)

• Clare Holder – Mountain Majik (Football NSW)

• Alexia Karrys-Stahl – UTS Northside FC (Football NSW)

• Alvina Khoshaba – Unattached

• Mia Nataly – Sydney Futsal Club (Football NSW)

• Halle Smit – UTS Northside FC (Football NSW)

• Natalie Tathem – Unattached

Supporting the squad:

• Head Coach: Bruno Cannavan

• Assistant Coach: Thali Ziero

• Goalkeeper Coach: Peter Spathis

• Along with team managers, analysts, medical staff and support personnel who created a professional environment throughout the tournament.

The Tournament – Match by Match

🇦🇺 2–0 Vietnam

Goals:

• Claudia Fruscalzo

• Nikkita Fazzari

A disciplined opening performance. Strong defensively, patient in possession and clinical when the moments came.

https://youtu.be/-gu_ZZX5td4?si=p5oeDgv4CGO3aeAv

🇦🇺 6–1 Myanmar

Goals:

• Clare Holder (2)

• Alexia Karrys-Stahl (2)

• Nikkita Fazzari

• Trudy Camilleri

After conceding early, Australia responded with authority. The intensity lifted, the pressing became sharper, and confidence grew.

https://youtu.be/FKQPvzxvuFs?si=2GZqC2MIADUBiFqb

🇵🇭 1–1 Australia

Goal:

• Clare Holder

A tight, tactical game. Physical and competitive. Australia found the breakthrough, but the Philippines equalised late. Still, seven points secured top spot in the group.

https://youtu.be/d0GhmBsge18?si=HoxyEE36xD9f0Ezz

Semi Final – 🇦🇺 3–2 Indonesia (After Extra Time)

Goals:

• Clare Holder

• Own Goal

• Trudy Camilleri (Extra Time Winner)

This was the defining moment.

Indonesia led. Australia answered. Indonesia went ahead again. Australia stayed calm.

Then in extra time, Captain Trudy Camilleri stepped up and scored the winning goal. Leadership in action. Big moment. Big response.

That goal sent Australia to the Grand Final.

https://youtu.be/N6xK3ZOmfco?si=BtQADQc2B4bDUsTi

Grand Final – 🇹🇭 5–4 Australia

Australia Goals:

• Alexia Karrys-Stahl

• Nikkita Fazzari

• Two forced own goals

High intensity. Momentum swings. Pressure from the home crowd.

And yes — there were some controversial calls that went in favour of the hosts. A couple of tight decisions at key moments that could have been interpreted differently. In international tournaments, especially against a host nation, those margins sometimes lean one way.

But what impressed me most was how Australia handled it.

They didn’t lose their shape.They didn’t lose composure.They kept playing.

Scoring four goals in a Grand Final away from home shows growth and courage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlV_y8X5GtI

Individual Recognition

This was a team achievement. That’s important to say first.

But in my opinion, three players had standout tournaments.

Alexia Karrys-Stahl – Relentless work rate. Pressing, recovering, supporting and still contributing goals. She gave the team energy and structure.

Clare Holder – Lethal in front of goal. Four goals across the tournament. Clinical in key moments.

Sarah Easthope – Calm and solid in goals all week. She commanded her area, made crucial saves and gave the team security from the back. Her performances were recognised with the Golden Gloves award, fully deserved.

And of course, Captain Trudy Camilleri. Leadership matters in tournaments like this. She led by example, competed in every duel and scored the semi final winner in extra time when it mattered most.

And honestly, I could easily mention at least eight other players from this squad who were outstanding in their roles. The rotations were strong. The energy off the bench was strong. The defensive discipline was strong.

That’s why they reached the final.

It wasn’t built on individuals.

It was built on unity.

Why This Is Huge for Australian Futsal

Source: Football Australia's Facebook Page

This silver medal is massive for futsal in Australia.

And even more so for women’s futsal.

For years, the women’s game has been growing quietly. Clubs building programs. Coaches investing time. Players committing with limited exposure and recognition.

This tournament validates that work.

Young girls across Australia just watched an Australian team:

• Making an ASEAN Grand Final for the first time ever.

• Top their group.

• Win a semi final in extra time.

• Push the hosts all the way in a Grand Final.

That matters.

It shows the level is rising. It shows that Australian women can compete with the best in the region.

This is momentum for the women’s game here at home.

Final Thoughts

Yes, it finished 5–4.

But the bigger story is this:

Group winners.Semi final winners.Grand finalists.Silver medalists in ASEAN.

That’s growth.

That’s belief.

That’s progress for women’s futsal in Australia.

We are extremely proud of this group.

And I truly believe this is only the beginning.

History makers.