Brisbane Roar went down 2-0 to a sharp Adelaide United side on Sunday evening in front of a lively home crowd at Spencer Park.
Starting brightly, the Roar carved out the first chance of the match just minutes in when 19-year-old Daisy Brown received the ball outside the box, swivelled, but lashed her shot wide of the posts.
The Reds drew first blood just past the ten-minute mark. Bursting down the right flank, Erin Healy showcased silky footwork before delivering a pinpoint cross for Erin Hodgson to tuck home.
Shortly after, the Roar came close to restoring parity when Bente Jansen controlled a high ball in the box and laid it off to the onrushing Ashlyn Miller, who fired just over the crossbar.
In the remainder of the first half, pressure mounted on the Roar as the visitors pushed forward. Goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln, freshly called into the CommBank Matildas squad for the AFC Asian Cup, proved vital. She pulled off a string of sharp stops, first denying Adelaide’s Fiona Worts in a one-on-one, then, five minutes later, diving to thwart Healy’s long-range strike.
Chances were scarce in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, with play confined mostly to the middle of the pitch.
The Roar sprang to life just past the 70th minute when Tish Woods won the ball high, pierced through Adelaide’s backline, and fired a close-range shot that had fans on tenterhooks before sailing over the crossbar and landing on the top of the net.
Five minutes later, Angie Beard pulled off a stunning goal-line clearance to deny Lara Gooch’s close-range strike, but the ball went out for a corner. Adelaide’s Dylan Holmes delivered it in, finding Ella Tonkin, who powered a header inside the far post to double their lead.
Kijah Stevenson nearly pulled one back in stoppage time, curling a shot from just outside the box that drifted narrowly wide.
That was the final chance of the evening and the match ended 2-0 in favour of the South Australian visitors.
After the AFC Asian Cup break, the Roar will return to action on March 14, with a trip across the Tasman to face the Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand’s windy capital.
With just four games left in the regular Ninja A-League season, every match counts as the Roar chase a top-six finish and a ticket to finals football.
