Brisbane Roar succumbed to an unfortunate late 2-1 defeat away to Perth Glory in the opening round of the Liberty A-League season on Saturday night.
Anna Margraf’s maiden professional goal gave Garrath McPherson’s side a deserved 22nd-minute lead that lasted for over an hour.
But after controlling much of the second half, the Roar were left to rue a quickfire Glory comeback in the closing stages at Macedonia Park.
It was a tough end to an otherwise encouraging performance that featured the return of Katrina Gorry less than four months after giving birth plus first Roar appearances for Jessie Rasschaert, Meaghan McElligott, Rie Kitano, Cannon Clough, Annie Haffenden and Ellen Gett, with the latter four all on Liberty A-League debut.
Brisbane will take the positives and look to gain some revenge in this Friday night’s reverse fixture against the same opposition.
Goals
Brisbane Roar | Anna Margraf (22′)
0-1 – Shea Connors turns away from her marker in the penalty area and pings the ball across the face towards Margraf, who reacts quickly to prod the ball home.
Perth Glory | Susan Phonsongkham (88′)
1-1 – Gemma Craine wins the ball for Perth and drives into the box before squaring into the middle, where Phonsongkham squeezes in a first-time shot.
Perth Glory | Own Goal (90′)
2-1 – Jessie Rasschaert mops up a long ball but her pass back to Georgie Worth manages to find its way into the back of the net.
Match Details
Liberty A-League Round 1
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, 4 December 2021
Macedonia Park
Perth Glory 2 (Phonsongkham 88′ Own Goal 90′)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Margraf 22′)
