The Brisbane Roar have opened their Liberty A-League season with a 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets at Perry Park.
First half goals from Larissa Crummer and Sharn Freier helped the Roar to the three points in a tantalising match on Saturday afternoon.
Head Coach Garrath McPherson said the management towards the end of the game that was most pleasing.
“There were times last year for our team, were we wanted to be big in the biggest moments, occasionally the opponent was a bit bigger than us but [today] we managed the game out,”
“We dealt with the pressure, long passes, and strikers so it was pleasing to get the win.
“It was great to see the fans at Perry Park.”
Playing in her first professional match, Hensley Hancuff was an integral member of the team, making a number of important saves, especially in the first half.
“She has shown why we brought her over here, all the traits and characteristics that we were going to get – a leader, communicator, shot-stopper, good distribution,” McPherson said.
The Roar also welcomed four other debutants in Tamar Levin, Kajsa Lind, Margot Robinne and Kijah Stephson.
The Liberty A-League squad will now turn their focus to Canberra United on Saturday 26 November at Perry Park.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
4′ | Chance from Shea Connors goes just wide of the goal
11′ | A-League Women and Brisbane Roar debutant Hensley Hancuff makes back-to-back saves to deny Newcastle Jets a goal
20′ | A free kick from Murphy Agnew was tripped over the bar by Hensley Hancuff
21′ | Hensley Hancuff makes another save, stretching to the post to tip the ball out for a corner
24′ | Hensley Hancuff goes down after collecting the ball. AshleeBrodigan receives a yellow card for the collision.
31′ | GOAL! Shea Connors puts in the ball for Hecher who unselfishly passes it to Larissa Crummer for the tap in. 1-0
34′ | Goal disallowed. Kajsa Lind denied a goal after the referee
39′ | GOAL! Sharn Freier doubled the Roar’s lead after a cross along the ground from Shea Connors. 2-0
45+2′ | Chance for Jets as Sara Griffith almost gets a goal with her effort hitting the crossbar
46′ | Chance as Sharn Freier’s strike goes just wide
60′ | Chance for the Roar with Margot Robinne’s ball to Shea Connors landing in the keepers hands
63′ | Save! Hensley Hancuff reaches out to deny the Jets once again
75′ | Penalty to Jets as Hensley Hancuff brought down Adriana Konjarski in the box.
76′ | Goal! The Jets pull one back as Murphy Agnew sends Hensley Hancuff the wrong way. 2-1.
85′ | Goal disallowed for Jets. The assistant referee picks up the offside on Adriana Konjarski, who goes down with an injury.
