Brisbane Roar hold the upper hand after a 2-1 win in the Ninja A-League semi-final first leg against Wellington Phoenix.
A quick exchange of early goals, headers from Wellington’s Grace Jale and Brisbane’s Momo Hayashi, threatened a high-scoring shoot-out. But as Wellington faded through the game, it was Roar who found the finishing touch to complete a come-from-behind win.
The sold-out crowd at Spener Park of 3849 mainly Roar fans left happy after the home side set up mouthwatering second leg in New Zealand next Sunday.
Wellington needed just two minutes to open the scoring when Jale was able to escape the Roar defence at the back post and meet Manaia Elliott’s corner.
It could have been 2-0 after just four minutes when a bouncing clearance from Ellie Walker sat up perfectly for Makala Woods. The American striker beat Ruby Cuthbert to the ball and shot into the right-hand post.
Reaction: Roar hero wants to ‘win by a mile’ while Phoenix coach turns to home comforts
Cuthbert would have to leave the game injured only moments later, favouring her left leg and replaced in a position reshuffle that sent Hayashi to centre back and substitute Bente Jansen into midfield.
The delay for the Cuthbert injury and substitution helped Roar regroup after the early Phoenix flurry. And that change in momentum was reflected by Roar equalising in the 14th minute when Hayashi met Alicia Woods’ corner with a firm header.
Brisbane steadily built through the second half with regular chances. The best of which came when Ashlyn Miller tried to lob Vic Esson only for the Phoenix goalkeeper to leap back with the flight of the ball and save.
The momentum would prove irresistible as Roar built to Brown’s winner. A Miller cross deflected off an attempt to head away by Mackenzie Barry and fell to Brown, who controlled on the chest and volleyed in with her right foot.
The second leg will be played at Porirua Park on Sunday May 10. Kick-off is at 12:30pm AEST and 2:30pm NZST.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Match winner Daisy Brown speaks after the game.
Wellington goalscorer Grace Jale.
Reaction: Roar hero wants to ‘win by a mile’ while Phoenix coach turns to home comforts
Brisbane Roar coach Alex Smith.
Wellington Phoenix coach Bev Priestman.
Brisbane Roar midfielder Alicia Woods.
Brisbane Roar captain Tameka Yallop.
