A thrilling 5–2 victory over Perth Glory in front of more than 2000 fans at Spencer Park has lifted the Brisbane Roar into fifth on the ladder, strengthening their push for a top-six finish and a berth in the Ninja A-League Women finals series.
The Roar made several adjustments to the lineup ahead of the vital clash. 19-year-old Ruby Cuthbert replaced Marianna Seidl, who was ruled out for one match after a retrospective yellow-card upgrade from Round 20, at centre-back.
Also Keira Meyers and Kijah Stephenson slotted in for Daisy Brown and Zara Kruger, both away with Australia at the U20 AFC Asian Cup. Goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln and defender Angie Beard also returned to the starting XI after their international duties at the AFC Asian Cup.
Perth tested the Roar in a nervy opening stage, but Roar custodian Chloe Lincoln gathered every attempt. The Roar, however, drew first blood just before the 20-minute mark when Angie Beard’s well-weighted corner found Aimee Medwin, who rose highest to nod the ball home beyond Teresa Morissey’s outstretched gloves.
Spencer Park’s Roar faithful were on their feet, roaring their delight at the early lead and it was ten minutes later that Momo Hayashi marked her birthday in style, capitalising on a loose touch from Perth midfielder Georgia Cassidy inside the box before rifling the ball into the bottom left corner to give the Roar a 2-0 advantage.
Moments before the halftime whistle, the visitors pulled one back. Emma Tovar’s corner delivery found Julia Sardo, who headed the ball firmly into the net. Perth then equalised just four minutes into the second half when Rola Badawiya’s strike caught Lincoln off guard and crept inside the near post.
Just before the hour mark, midfielder Tish Woods won possession from Perth with a sharp tackle, pushing the ball to Kijah Stephenson, who took a touch then clipped a left-footed beauty above Morissey to put the Roar 3-2 ahead.
Three minutes later, Hayashi lined up a free kick just outside the box, unleashing a thunderbolt that glanced off Perth’s leaping wall and nestled into the net. Teammates swarmed the Japanese dynamo, celebrating her birthday brace.
In stoppage time, Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop capped off a dream night with a composed finish, calmly converting a well-weighted pass from Ashyln Miller.
The Roar ran out 5–2 winners at full-time, securing a vital three points in the race for finals football. The women in orange face their final test next Saturday, April 4, at 2pm AEST, against Canberra United in the capital.
