W-League: Brisbane Roar win Grand Final 2-1

Today was the big day for the W-league showdown of the two best teams of women’s football in Australia. Sydney were the undisputed favourite’s, being an even mixture of players from last year’s Grand Final winning Sydney squad and the second placed Central Coast squad.

This year they were Minor Premiers, with only two losses all season - a 1-0 loss to Brisbane and an unexpected 2-1 loss to Newcastle. While Brisbane, a team chock full of Matildas’, only had one loss - in the first round to Sydney 4-2. Too many draws spoiled their chance at finishing top of the table. This was always going to be a good game, widely anticipated by all.

The game started with fire and within the two minutes Roar had a shot over the net for by Lana Harch. Not to be outdone a cross from the Sky Blues' Teigen Allen into open space was uncharacteristically missed by Leena Khamis.

In the 6th minute a cross by Tameka Butt found Lana Harch again attacking Sydney’s goal. Minutes later a golden opportunity was given to Renee Rollason from a laid back ball from Khamis, but the strike was off target.

Then, on the counter, a possible offside Harch crossed the ball into the 18 yard box to find the ever effervescent Tameka Butt under extreme pressure. Butt headed the ball home for a Roar goal in the ninth minute.

Responding, Khamis opened her shot account in the 12th minute. The next opportunity didn't come until the 23rd minute when Butt threaded a nice feed ball to an on-running Harch. The play was well read by Sydney’s 'keeper Dimi Poulos to shut down the play.

In the 34th minute, after the ball favourately fell to the feet of Kylie Ledbrook, she showed great quality for her attempt, her shot ricocheting off the far post and into the net. 1-1.

A cross from Elise Kellond-Knight in the 38th found Harch stretching to meet the ball for an effort, heading to the near post, but unfortunately for the hard working Roar forward, her heel got badly clipped. That was the end of her Grand Final, stretchered off the field. Unlucky for her, up until this stage she was best on-field. Lisa DeVanna (pictured below) came on for Brisbane.

By this time the drizzling rain turned into a down pour. In the first half of extra time a golden opportunity came to Amy Chapman in front of goal but she leaned back and shot over the net.

It was all Brisbane for the first 24 minutes pressuring well up front and in the midfield. For the rest of the first half it was very even. In Tom Sermanni’s half time interview he said finals means key players doing key things in key moments, and that was a good prediction from the Australian Matildas coach.

Sydney started the second half with more fire pressuring high up the park which resulted with Simon having a nice dig from outside the box over the crossbar. Then Khamis had her turn placing a lot of pressure on the Roar’s 'keeper.

The 59th minute saw Brisbane have a clear shot on goal from DeVanna. And within seconds a long punt kick from 'keeper Poulos found Ledbrook to have a crack at the other end for Sydney.

In the 65th minute Kellond-Knight smacked a long ball for DeVanna to dance around defenders ending with a 1v1 with the 'keeper, calmly slotting home the Roar's second goal. Lisa was yellow carded for entering the stands to celebrate the goal with her sister.

Two minutes later, Kennya Cordner, aka YaYa, came on for Amy Chapman-Brisbane and for Sydney Nicola Bolger for Teigen Allen. Clare Polkinghorne received a suspect yellow card in the 71st. The 75th found a yellow card for Khamis for her third free kick on 'keeper Casey Dumont.

As the game had become end to end, a cross from Roars Aivi Luik found YaYa with a good opportunity to finish the game but with a tight angle to work on she pushed the ball wide. Catherine Canulli came on for an injured Renee Rollason for Sydney.

Wave after wave of Sydney attack came to naught. Brisbane then combined with Butt, DeVanna and YaYa, ending with a clear shot in front of goal for Lauren Colthorpe only to go over the top. For five crazy minutes of extra time it was all hands on deck for Brisbane as they tried to repel the non-stop attacks from the Sky Blues.

Try as they might, however, the Roar were not to be broken and against ALL the critics predictions won the Grand Final 2-1 for the second time in three starts.

What a close, close game and fantastic for Australian Women’s Football. Well done to all involved, hold your heads high. Best for Brisbane were Clare Polkinghorne, Tameka Butt and Kim Carroll. For Sydney, Kylie Ledbrook, Leena Khamis and Teresa Polias were stand-outs. So Brisbane Roar winning the women’s league. Now we await the men.


Image courtesy: Nick Guoth