Brisbane Roar are back at Perry Park for their first home game of the 2024/25 Ninja A-League season against reigning champions Sydney FC.
Round 2 will present the first opportunity for Roar supporters to see their side in action this season after a 3-2 loss away to Canberra last weekend.
There were six debutants in Round 1 including Olivia Sekany, Leia Varley, Momo Hayashi, and Evdokia Popadinova in the starting eleven and Emily Pringle and Isabela Hoyos being substituted into the match.
WHAT WAS SAID
Head Coach, Alex Smith is looking forward to playing back at home in front of Roar support at Perry Park and believes his side are up for the challenge against the reigning champions.
“Sydney is always a challenge,” Smith said.
“Been in the league for five or six years now and every game is a tough game against Sydney. They’re reigning champions obviously so we know it’s going to be a tough test for us. For us, it’s about keeping with our style and the way we want to play and really try to take it to these type of teams.”
“We’ve made Perry Park our home for every home game this year so I really want to try make it a fortress. Teams are afraid to come up here to play especially in the heat. The fans really are the heartbeat of the club.”
After making her 150th appearance for Brisbane Roar over the weekend, captain Tameka Yallop is just three matches away from breaking Matildas teammate, Clare Polkinghorne’s record.
“150 in Brisbane Roar colours is an honour and something that I’m proud of,” Yallop said.
“I’ve probably played majority of games with Polks so it’s cool to reach that milestone and be close to her as well and the player that she is, is something to be proud of for the club as well.”
“I think it’s always tough against Sydney. We have a good rivalry and that’s from the inaugural season. Looking forward to it, especially being at home.”
LAST TIME WE MET
We last faced Sydney FC in December 2023 at Leichhardt Oval in a match that finished in a 1-1 stalemate.
An early goal from former Roar forward Ashlee Brodigan was equalised in the 42nd minute by Matildas star Cortnee Vine.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Games: 18
Brisbane wins: 5
Sydney wins: 9
Draw: 4
KEY STATS
- After scoring against Canberra United on Saturday, Evdokia Popadinova becomes the 7th Roar player to score on debut (Grace Kuilamu was the sixth with her goal on debut in Round 1 against Melbourne Victory last season)
- Alicia Woods created 7 chances in Round 1 of the 2024/25 A-League Women – the joint most by a Roar player in a game in the last 9 seasons. (also Chioma Ubogagu v Perth – 28 Oct 2018, Katrina Gorry v Newcastle – 29 Dec 2019, Mariel Hecher v Melbourne City – 29 Dec 2020.)
TEAM NEWS
Roar’s ALW side will be without Danelle Tan who missed last Saturday’s clash against Canberra United with a knee injury and will undergo minor knee surgery that will see her out of action for four to six weeks.
Keeley Richards will remain side lined for this weekend’s match after sustaining an ankle injury at training.
Brisbane Roar Ninja A-League Women Squad: 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, 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 23. Isabela HOYOS, 32. Alicia WOODS, 33. Olivia SEKANY, 99. Emma Gibbon
INS: 20. Tanaye MORRIS
OUTS: 9. Danelle TAN (knee)
UNAVAILABLE: 1. Keeley RICHARDS (leg), 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 9. Danelle TAN (knee), 19. Laini FREIER (leg), 22. Ruby CUTHBERT (leg)
MATCH DETAILS
Ninja A-League Women Round 2
Brisbane Roar FC v Sydney FC
Perry Park, Bowen Hill
Saturday 9 November 2024, 3:00pm AEST KO
TICKETS
