Brisbane Roar head south to face an in-form Adelaide United on Sunday evening at Marden Sport Complex as they look to cement themselves in the top six with just five games remaining.
Roar still claim their fifth spot on the ladder but have had a tough run of results lately, going four matches without a win since Round 14 against Wellington Phoenix at home.
Adelaide are soaring with three wins in their last five games and will look to continue this form on home soil.
WHAT WAS SAID
Goalkeeper Keeley Richards is determined to prove herself this weekend as the squad look to break their winless streak and bounce back on the road.
“I think I’ve still got a bit to prove to the girls and the coaching staff that I deserve my spot out there,” Richards said.
“We know we’ve got potential to be winning these games and we’ve just to go out there and keep playing for each other and have each other’s backs and hopefully this weekend we can do that.”
LAST TIME WE MET
Last time these sides met, Brisbane Roar were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Adelaide United at Perry Park in Round 1.
Adelaide United opened the scoring in the 42nd minute with Chelsea Dawber executing a turn-and-shoot goal towards the top right corner past the hands of Olivia Sekany.
Roar were quick to respond just moments later, with a spectacular strike from midfielder Alicia Woods into the top of the net to mark her first ever Ninja A-League goal.
Adelaide United came out firing after the break with the Reds capitalising on a relaxed Roar defence for Erin Healy to extend their lead to 2-1.
In the 72nd minute, Chelsie Dawber scored her second of the night to hand Adelaide a comfortable lead with a header off a set-piece corner.
Roar captain Tameka Yallop’s determination shone through after scoring a header off a brilliant cross in from Mariel Hecher in an effort to put the hosts back in the match, but ultimately Adelaide were the ones to secure three points at Perry Park.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Games: 18
Brisbane wins: 9
Adelaide wins: 6
Draws: 3
TEAM NEWS
Brisbane Roar has locked in its Ninja A-League squad ahead of Sunday’s action in Adelaide, while the Isuzu UTE A-League Men continue working hard during the international break.
Head Coach, Alex Smith has welcomed back defensive duo Leia Varley and Chelsea Blissett after the pair have been out of action in recent weeks due to leg injuries.
After making her return from injury last week, Ruby Cuthbert will be looking for more valuable match minutes in Sunday’s clash against Adelaide United.
Roar will be determined to bounce back from recent results with a big three points on the road against a third-placed Adelaide side.
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, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Zara KRUGER, 16. Chelsea BLISSETT, 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 19. Laini FREIER, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 22. Ruby CUTHBERT, 23. Isabela Hoyos 32. Alicia WOODS, 99. Emma GIBBON
Ins: 2. Leia VARLEY, 16. Chelsea BLISSETT
Outs: 5. Amali KINSELLA
Unavailable: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 11. Sharn FREIER (ankle)
MATCH DETAILS
Ninja A-League 2024/25 – Round 20: Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar
Marden Sport Complex, Adelaide
Sunday, 23 March (4:30pm AEST KO)
