Brisbane Roar will face Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium this Sunday evening in Round 21 of the Ninja A-League.
Both sides are currently sat in the top six with Roar trailing behind a fifth-placed Mariners side, therefore the hosts will also be looking to cement their spot in Sunday’s challenge.
Roar will be chasing three points in Gosford after not having won a match since Round 14 against Wellington Phoenix at Perry Park.
WHAT WAS SAID
Holly McQueen is determined to return to winning ways in Gosford and has her eyes set on finals football.
“It’s been a hectic week but all of us are staying together, training’s been great and we’re ready to go,” McQueen said.
“It’s a big game this weekend. We’re going to bring it, everyone’s ready to go, we’re firing.”
LAST TIME WE MET
These two sides have not met since Round 6 last December, where Roar sealed a 2-1 victory over the Mariners at Perry Park.
After a scoreless first half, it was Deborah-Anne de la Harpe that opened the scoring with a spectacular goal from a tight angle in the 57th minute to mark her second goal of the season.
Tiana Fuller equalised for Central Coast in the 76th minute to get the visitors back in the game but just moments later, captain Tameka Yallop snatched one back by lobbing a header into the back of the net from a stunning cross by Alicia Woods.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Games: 3
Brisbane wins: 1
Mariners wins: 1
Draws: 2
TEAM NEWS
Roar’s Ninja A-League Women face the Mariners on Sunday in a match that pits fifth against sixth at Industree Group Stadium in a crucial encounter in the race for finals football.
Alex Smith has made just one change to the squad that faced Melbourne City midweek with Grace Kuilamu replaced in the travelling group by Tamar Levin after the teenager was forced off in the first half with a shoulder injury on Wednesday.
Sunday’s Round 21 clash kicks off at 4:45pm AEST and will be broadcast live on Paramount+ & 10 Play.
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, 12. Tamar Levin, 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: 12. Tamar Levin
Outs: 10. Grace KUILAMU (shoulder)
Unavailable: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 11. Sharn FREIER (ankle)
MATCH DETAILS
Ninja A-League Women 2024/25 – Round 21: Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Sunday, 30 March (4:45pm KO AEST)
