Brisbane Roar Women have kick-started their Westfield W-League season with a spectacular 3-0 win over Sydney FC Women in Gosford.
Despite sapping conditions with on-field temperatures in excess of 35 degrees, the Roar Women dominated the match throughout and completely outplayed their opponents in every department.
The Roar’s crisp passing, high work rate and speedy counter-attacks stunned Sydney who never settled into their own game.
Matildas Clare Polkinghorne, Tameka Butt and Katrina Gorry were outstanding for Brisbane as was Emily Gielnik down the right flank, Angela Beard at left back and Haley Kopmeyer in goal.
The unity in the team was clearly evident and the quality of their football was a joy. All three goals were well-crafted and clearly the result of team-work and commitment at training.
“I hadn’t seen that this whole season and it was like ‘yes’ they are actually believing in themselves that they are good enough to be playing at this level,” Wilson said.
“After today’s performance , . . . it’s massive.
“I am happy with that performance. We kept a clean sheet, we got three goals, we scored goals which is fantastic but we also kept playing football.”
Goals
19′: After dominating possession in the opening stanza, the Roar Women were rewarded with the opening goal. Emily Gielnik, playing wide on the right, played a glorious ball into the box where Tameka Butt (above) burst through two defenders in a perfectly timed run and finished neatly into the net. 1-0
39′: Emily Gielnik was finding lots of space out on the right and made another strong run before she crossed powerfully into the centre. Despite no Roar players being nearby, Sydney defender Alana Kennedy miscued her clearance and sliced the ball into her own net. 2-0
63′: Sydney started to get back into the match after a double substitution but the Roar Women continued to play their passing game and were rewarded when Clare Polkinghorne headed in a well-taken free kick by Angela Beard from the right that dropped perfectly into the six-yard box. 3-0
Talking point
It’s all about self-belief! Roar Women’s Coach Belinda Wilson knew what her players were capable of and knew they had been playing some good football without the results and finally it all clicked on the park
Quote unquote
Roar Women Coach BELINDA WILSON: “It was a great performance by the whole team, we have been working very hard . . . and making sure we turned the season around this is just the starting point really.”
Roar midfielder and player of the match KATRINA GORRY (above left): “We’ve been working so hard at training. We have had some great possession in the last few games but we haven’t been clinical in attack. That’s what we tried to do today and I’m pretty happy with the three goals.”
What’s next
The next game is a tough one. The Roar Women take on competition leaders Melbourne City at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast on Monday, 28 December (2.30pm KO). After that they are away to Adelaide United on 3 January before returning to Broadbeach on Sunday 10 January to take on Melbourne Victory.
Match stats
Westfield W-League Round 10, Sunday, 20 December, at Gosford
Sydney FC 0
Brisbane Roar FC 3 (Tameka Butt 19′, OG 39′, Polkinghorne 63′)
Half time: 0-2
Brisbane Roar Women: 1. Haley KOPMEYER (gk), 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 6. Angela BEARD, 7. Gabe MARZANO (9. Cortnee VINE 75′), 8. Ayesha NORRIE (12. Alisha FOOTE 71′), 10. Katrina GORRY, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Summer O’BRIEN (18. Maili FORBES 86′), 15. Ruth BLACKBURN, 17. Emily GIELNIK.
Unused substitutes: 20. Carrie SIMPSON (gk)
Yellow cards: Summer O’BRIEN 29′, Katrina GORRY 50′
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 1. Michelle BETOS (gk), 2. Elizabeth RALSTON (16. Hannah BACON 81′), 4. Sunny FRANCO (9. Princess IBINI 56′), 5. Jasmyne SPENCER, 6. Teresa POLIAS (c), 7. Nicola BOLGER (12. Olivia PRICE 56′), 8. Amy HARRISON, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 17. Kyah SIMON, 19. Leena KHAMIS.
Unused substitutes: 18. Sham KHAMIS (gk).
Yellow cards: Teresa POLIAS 81′
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Kate Jacewicz Assistant Referee 1: Allyson Flynn Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Wikeley Fourth Official: Kelly Jones
