Lionesses book AFF Women’s Cup 2026 semi-final spot with 3-1 win over Malaysia – Football Association of Singapore

“It was a nice atmosphere today, the fans were excited, and that’s the kind of atmosphere we always like to play in. It’s great we were able to get the win today and end this long wait.”

Just 13 minutes into the match, Yuvika capitalised on a loose ball off Mulan Ayliffe’s low cross, punished a fumble from Malaysian goalkeeper Asma Junaidi, and slotted home her maiden international goal.

Singapore wasn’t done before the break either — Nur Sarah Zu’risqha picked out Danelle with a clever ball over the top, and the striker made no mistake, coolly finishing for her 12th goal in Lionesses colours.

The Tigresses hit back through Henrietta Justine in the 59th minute, capitalising on space in behind to halve the deficit and set up a tense final half-hour. Singapore held firm, and Danelle settled the nerves for good in the 73rd minute, stepping up to convert a penalty after Asma brought her down in the box.

“Both us and Malaysia knew the stakes of this game. Whoever won was going to go through, and I think you could see that in the game as well,” said Danelle, who remains the Lionesses’ all-time top scorer, now with 13 goals. “It was a very end-to-end game, both sides had a lot of chances. I think the team did well to take our chances today and get away with three points.”

Second-placed Laos also advanced from the group on two points, setting up a semi-final meeting with Group B winners Cambodia. Singapore will face Indonesia, runners-up in Group B, this Sunday, 19 July, at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium. 

The two sides last met in June, when the Lionesses beat the 110th-ranked Garuda Pertiwi 2-0 — only their second win over Indonesia in eight meetings over the past five years, with the other six ending in defeat.

Still, Danelle remains cautious.

“We definitely can’t be complacent just because we beat them recently. Indonesia is a very strong side, and we know what they’re capable of, especially now we’re playing in the semi-finals,” she said.

“The stakes are high — they’re going to go with their best 11, we’re going to go with our best 11, and it’s going to be an exciting match, one that I’m definitely looking forward to,” she added.

SINGAPORE: Izairida Shakira (GK), Umairah Hamdan (C), Irsalina Irwan, Mulan Ayliffe (Ain Salleh 34’), Lim Li Xian, Syazwani Ruzi (Seri Nurinsyirah 46’), Danelle Tan, Yuvika Suresh (Farah Nurzahirah 61’), Yasmine Zaharin (Venetia Lim 46’), Sarah Zu’risqha (Raeka Ee 80’), Kyra Taylor

Unused subs: Lamasan Chantale (GK), Alysha Nasrina (GK), Naureen Qadriyah, Qarissa Putri, Dhaniyah Qasimah, Rosnani Azman, Farhanah Ruhaizat