Brisbane Roar Women return from Sydney empty handed following a 1-0 defeat to Sydney FC on Friday night.
The Roar Women fought hard for the three points but the hosts came away with the win following the game’s only goal from the boot of Princess Ibini.
Sydney FC started the match quickly with a number of chances on the goal but the Roar soon found their feet and fought back to make it an even contest.
Nina Frausing-Pedersen was the strongest for the Roar throughout the game; the Danish import was strong in the centre of defence while leading the way with her impressive ball distribution in attack.
Showing strong character and leadership, Captain Clare Polkinghorne and midfielder Maddy Evans lead from the front and were both outstanding in a losing side.Â
The Roar’s best chance of the game came in the first half an hour with Emily Gielnik making a brilliant run down the field only to be denied in a one-on-one against Sydney FC goalkeeper Sham Khamis. The ball rebounded twice but Khamis held strong between the posts to deny Gielnik on both occasions.
The second half was much the same as the first, highly contested with some strong chances.
Both sides had their opportunities throughout the second half as the Roar Women pushed hard for an equaliser as the match wore on, but were denied on numerous occasions by assured goalkeeping from Khamis.
The Roar Women next face Melbourne Victory at A.J. Kelly Park, Kippa Ring on New Year’s Day. Kick-off 3pm QLD Time.
Goals
54’: Great hustle from Yemon-Dale as she feeds the ball into the box and Princess Ibini finishes it strong. 1-0
Talking Point
The second half this season is an important time to pick up point as the W-League heads into the finals series but a second loss away from home could mean the difference between a spot in the top four and missing out for just the second time in their history. Click HERE for this season’s Westfield W-League ladder!
What’s next?
Brisbane Roar Women have back-to-back home matches as they face Melbourne Victory on New Years Day before a W-League/A-League double header on January 7 against the Western Sydney Wanderers Women.
Match stats
Westfield W-League Round 8, Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar, Friday, 23 December at Lambert Park
Sydney FC 1 (Ibini 54’)
Brisbane Roar 0
Crowd: 714
Sydney FC : 1.Sham KHAMIS (gk), 2.Teresa POLIAS (c), 4.Elizabeth RALSTON, 6.Servet UZUNLAR, 7.Nicola BOLGER (Remy SIEMSEN 77’), 11.Natalie TOBIN (Francisa ORTEGA 57’), 13.Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 17.Kyah SIMON, 19.Leena KHAMIS, 20.Princess IBINI (Caitlin FOORD 70’).
Unused substitutes: 15. Sarah EASTHOPE (gk)
Yellow cards: Elizabeth Ralston 50’, Teresa Polias 66’
Red cards: Nil
Brisbane Roar FC: 1.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Nina FRAUSING-PEDERSEN, 3.Amy CHAPMAN, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY, 10.Katrina GORRY, 12.Allira TOBY (Brooke SPENCE 83’), 13.Tameka BUTT, 14.Summer O’BRIEN (Angela BEARD 28’), 17.Emily GIELNIK, 18.Maddy EVANS
Unused substitutes: 20.Georgina WORTH (gk), 15. Abbey LLOYD
Yellow cards : Nil
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Katie Patterson Assistant Referee 1: Sarah Ho Assistant Referee 2: Delfina Dimoski Fourth Official: Kelly Jones
