Brisbane Roar are back at home and hoping to return to the winner’s circle as they take on the Central Coast Mariners this Saturday evening at Perry Park in Round 6 of the Ninja A-League.
After going down to Wellington Phoenix 2-1 over the weekend, Roar will be determined to bounce back in front of home support.
WHAT WAS SAID
Head Coach Alex Smith is happy with how his side is progressing but has his eyes set on bouncing back from the 2-1 loss to Wellington this weekend.
“The way we’re playing is really pleasing for me and to be able to match that with goals and results, it’s really important for the girls and the confidence to keep going with that style and the way we want to play,” Smith said.
“Overall, from the start of the season I’ve been happy but been working hard this week to make up for the let down on the weekend,” he added.
Laini Freier is looking for more minutes after making her debut in Wellington, where she may finally get the chance to play alongside her twin sister and Matildas star, Sharn Freier in the A-League for the first time this weekend.
“It was my first away trip as well, I have never experienced that and then to finally get minutes on the field, coming back from the injury, it was really cool,” Freier said.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, I know Sharn’s the same. Obviously playing together in the NPL, achieving stuff there, but I’m very excited if I get the opportunity to play at home in front of families and friends.”
LAST TIME WE MET
In their last meeting, Brisbane Roar went down 2-0 to Central Coast at home in Round 19 of the 2023/24 season.
Wurigumula opened the scoring in the 45th minute after getting on the end of a cross to confidently find the back of the net.
Just a moment after, Kyah Simon capitalised on a Roar defensive error and made it 2-0 before the break which was ultimately enough to secure their three points on the road.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Games: 2
CCM wins: 1
Roar wins: 0
Draw: 1
TEAM NEWS
Following scans post game it’s been confirmed that Evdokia Popadinova’s hamstring injury is not as serious as first feared with the Bulgarian expected to only be sidelined for two or three weeks.
Alex Smith’s side are boosted by the return of Matildas duo, Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier who return to the fold after missing last week’s trip to Wellington whilst on international duty.
Freier, who scored her first Matildas goals – finding the back of the net in both victories over Chinese Taipei could share an A-League pitch for the first time in Roar colours with twin sister, Laini who debuted off the bench against Wellington last weekend.
Brisbane Roar Ninja A-League Squad:
1. Keeley RICHARDS, 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 7. Momo HAYASHI, 8. Mariel HECHER, 10. Grace KUILAMU, 11. Sharn FREIER, 12. Tamar LEVIN, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Zara KRUGER, 16. Chelsea BLISSETT, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 19. Laini FREIER, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 23. Isabela HOYOS, 32. Alicia WOODS, 33. Olivia SEKANY (Two to be omitted)
INS: 11. Sharn FREIER, 13. Tameka YALLOP
OUTS: 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 22. Ruby CUTHBERT
UNAVAILABLE: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 9. Danelle TAN (knee), 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA (hamstring)
MATCH DETAILS
Ninja A-League Women 2024/25 – Round 6: Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Perry Park, Bowen Hills
Saturday, 14 December (6:00pm KO AEST)
TICKETS
