SEA Games 2025: Singapore Women's Team Fall 3-1 To Indonesia Despite Spirited Showing

Singapore women's football team showed heart and determination but ultimately fell 3-1 to Indonesia in their opening Group A match at the SEA Games in Thailand on Sunday (Dec 7), leaving their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.


The Lionesses celebrate taking an early lead against Indonesia. SNOC/ Lim Weixiang

Playing at the Institute of Physical Education Chonburi Campus Stadium in Chonburi, the World Ranked 149 Lionesses now face an uphill battle to advance, needing a victory against 53rd-ranked hosts Thailand on Dec 10 to avoid a third consecutive group-stage exit.

The match started brightly for Singapore. After weathering early Indonesian pressure, the Lionesses struck first in the 22nd minute when Danelle Tan delivered a perfectly weighted pass that found Farhanah Ruhaizat, who finished confidently to give Singapore the lead.

But 106th-ranked Indonesia responded quickly. Dutch-born winger Isa Warps equalised in the 30th minute with a composed finish, leveling the scores before halftime.


Singapore’s Farhanah Ruhaizat celebrates scoring against Indonesia. SNOC/ Lim Weixiang

The second half proved decisive. In the 62nd minute, 16-year-old Claudia Scheunemann produced a moment of brilliance with an exquisite flick inside the box that gave Indonesia the lead. Al Mabruroh Aulia added a third in stoppage time to seal the victory.

Despite the scoreline, captain Siti Rosnani Binte Azman emphasized the team's improved performance compared to recent encounters. Singapore had lost 3-0 to Indonesia at the AFF Women's Cup in December 2024 and suffered a 5-1 defeat in a friendly in Jakarta last May.

"The first half, definitely [sic], we kept pushing. We tried to hold them off," said the 28-year-old captain. "As you can see, it's not only a one-sided game. We managed to attack, we did get chances, but it's just [sic] that we couldn't convert it to goals. I feel like today's game is way better and we can match them. It's just those mistakes that gave us away."

Rosnani acknowledged the daunting challenge ahead. Thailand, who have competed in two Women's World Cups, demolished Indonesia 8-0 in their opening match on Dec 4. But the captain insisted the team would not give up.

Singapore’s Danelle Tan creates her team’s goal with a pinpoint pass. SNOC/ Lim Weixiang

"Probably tonight we're still thinking and trying to reflect on the Indonesia game, but I believe tomorrow onwards it's going to be a new day," she said. "I know it's going to be even tougher playing against Thailand, but we're not going to give up. We are here to compete. So definitely we will regroup and then we will go again together as a team."

The tournament format sees the top two teams from the three-team Group A – following Cambodia's withdrawal – advance to the semi-finals. Singapore, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, last reached the semi-finals in 1985 when they won silver in a three-team tournament.

At the 2023 edition, the Lionesses finished third after losing to Thailand and Cambodia before beating Laos. They face similar odds this time around, but as Rosnani made clear, the team remains committed to competing until the final whistle.

Singapore will take on Thailand on Wednesday (Dec 10) at 5:00 PM Singapore time, knowing that only a victory will keep their semi-final dreams alive.

By SportSG/Jeremy Lee