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Well what a great semi-final football game - it could not have been scripted better! On a very warm day at Ballymore Park, Brisbane hosted Canberra for the first semi-final with a place in the Grand Final up for grabs.
Canberra started with fire pushing hard and in the tenth minute Emily Van Egmond hit a nice ball from outside the 18yd box hitting the top crossbar. It then ricocheted off the Roar's goalkeeper and was nearly over the line but, luckily for the Roar, not quite.
In the 22nd minute Elise Kellond-Knight had her turn at a shot from outside the 18yd box which also to hit the top crossbar. But for Brisbane it was more luck as the ball rebounded back into the 6yd box and, with some help of the ball watching Canberra defenders, left the chance for the effervesce midfieldier Tameeka Butt (back in her central position) to latch onto the ball and score.
Canberra started well but after the goal it was Brisbane in the driving seat. Again it was Butt who had another great shot from a wide angle which was deflected by Canberra’s 'keeper onto the crossbar and out safely.
With a place in the Grand Final on the table there was some hard tackling - especially from Canberra during time added on in the first half. Steward Sally Shipard let one fly at goal only to find the safe hands of Roar goalkeeper Casey Dumont.
The second half started with venom and within a minute of play resuming, after a nice passing sequence from Canberra, Michelle Heyman cracked a shot over goal. Then again in the 62nd minute Heyman got behind the defence (admittedly in an off-side position) and managed another crack at the goal but to no avail.
Brisbane resumed control of the game, passing the ball around while Canberra were always looking for the fast break attack. It wasn’t till the 54th minute when a Clare Polkinghorne cross deflected off a Canberra defender and nearly went in for an own goal.
Minutes later Shipard dinked a nice ball into the Roar 18yd box to find a good run from Caitlin Munoz. The Canberra centre forward showed beautiful technique to volley with the left foot into the far post to score the equaliser for Canberra.
Lisa De Vanna came onto the field and immediately started ripping the defence to shreds as only Lisa can. And in the 71st minute it almost paid off, De Vanna breaking away from Canberra’s defence and crossing the ball to Joanne Burgess who only had to steer the ball home into the net - but pushed it wide.
Roar continued to work the ball well around the top of Canberra’s box but were not converting their possession play. Canberra were always dangerous on the break with some great end to end action. In the 80th minute again De Vanna played another great ball into the 18yd box for Butt to scream onto the ball and head it towards goal. 'Keeper Lydia Williams, however, showed great reflex actions and got a touch the ball, slowing it down enough to allow time for Canberra’s co-captain Ellie Brush to clear the ball off the line.
It was clear Brisbane’s strategy was to place alot of balls into the 18yd box and for Canberra to work on the break. In the 86th minute finally Brisbane’s only true winger came onto the field. Tobago international Kennya Cordner immediately had an impact with some good runs in behind the defence.
But it was Heyman again on the break in the 89th minute who had another crack on the Brisbane goal, only to find the very safe Dumont in goal. It remained 1-1 at full time and the teams would go into extra time.
It was not till the 96th minute when wing-back Laura Alleway fed another ball into Canberra’s box but this time finding the very quick Kennya Cordner, who somehow slid in and got a touch on the ball through the legs of the Canberra 'keeper to score what should have been the games winning goal.
Within the minute, however, and while Brisbane still seemed to be celebrating their goal Canberra did the unthinkable and through a Roar defensive error the hard working Michelle Heyman finally scored for Canberra’s equaliser; 2-2 it stayed at the end of extra time, and penalties would decide the semi-final.
Brisbane started with a poor shot from Lauren Goldthorpe straight to the keeper. Sally Shipard was next with a no-nonsense goal. Defender Kim Carroll scored next with a textbook penalty shot. Ellie Brush for Canberra was next and the usual “put your money on this one” unfortunately beat the keeper but hit the cross bar. Tameeka Butt was clinical with her shot, as was Caitlin Cooper, wrong footing the Roar 'keeper. Elise Kellond-Knight showed great technique with her short run-up and shot but Elise Perry found the hands of Dumont after she shot wide. Now Casey Dumont, Roar’s 'keeper was to take the winning shot and she could hardly contain herself as she calmly stroked the ball home with a smile. The win to Brisbane Roar on penalty shoot-out.
Canberra United's season now over despite a gallant effort on their behalf but a deserving win to Brisbane, who now line up for their third Grand Final appearance. What an entertaining game from two contrasting sides. Best for Brisbane were De Vanna, Laura Alleway and Casey Dumont. For Canberra Ellie Brush, Michelle Heyman and Lydia Williams were stand-outs.
The second half started with venom and within a minute of play resuming, after a nice passing sequence from Canberra, Michelle Heyman cracked a shot over goal. Then again in the 62nd minute Heyman got behind the defence (admittedly in an off-side position) and managed another crack at the goal but to no avail.
Brisbane resumed control of the game, passing the ball around while Canberra were always looking for the fast break attack. It wasn’t till the 54th minute when a Clare Polkinghorne cross deflected off a Canberra defender and nearly went in for an own goal.
Minutes later Shipard dinked a nice ball into the Roar 18yd box to find a good run from Caitlin Munoz. The Canberra centre forward showed beautiful technique to volley with the left foot into the far post to score the equaliser for Canberra.
Lisa De Vanna came onto the field and immediately started ripping the defence to shreds as only Lisa can. And in the 71st minute it almost paid off, De Vanna breaking away from Canberra’s defence and crossing the ball to Joanne Burgess who only had to steer the ball home into the net - but pushed it wide.
Roar continued to work the ball well around the top of Canberra’s box but were not converting their possession play. Canberra were always dangerous on the break with some great end to end action. In the 80th minute again De Vanna played another great ball into the 18yd box for Butt to scream onto the ball and head it towards goal. 'Keeper Lydia Williams, however, showed great reflex actions and got a touch the ball, slowing it down enough to allow time for Canberra’s co-captain Ellie Brush to clear the ball off the line.
It was clear Brisbane’s strategy was to place alot of balls into the 18yd box and for Canberra to work on the break. In the 86th minute finally Brisbane’s only true winger came onto the field. Tobago international Kennya Cordner immediately had an impact with some good runs in behind the defence.
But it was Heyman again on the break in the 89th minute who had another crack on the Brisbane goal, only to find the very safe Dumont in goal. It remained 1-1 at full time and the teams would go into extra time.
It was not till the 96th minute when wing-back Laura Alleway fed another ball into Canberra’s box but this time finding the very quick Kennya Cordner, who somehow slid in and got a touch on the ball through the legs of the Canberra 'keeper to score what should have been the games winning goal.
Within the minute, however, and while Brisbane still seemed to be celebrating their goal Canberra did the unthinkable and through a Roar defensive error the hard working Michelle Heyman finally scored for Canberra’s equaliser; 2-2 it stayed at the end of extra time, and penalties would decide the semi-final.
Brisbane started with a poor shot from Lauren Goldthorpe straight to the keeper. Sally Shipard was next with a no-nonsense goal. Defender Kim Carroll scored next with a textbook penalty shot. Ellie Brush for Canberra was next and the usual “put your money on this one” unfortunately beat the keeper but hit the cross bar. Tameeka Butt was clinical with her shot, as was Caitlin Cooper, wrong footing the Roar 'keeper. Elise Kellond-Knight showed great technique with her short run-up and shot but Elise Perry found the hands of Dumont after she shot wide. Now Casey Dumont, Roar’s 'keeper was to take the winning shot and she could hardly contain herself as she calmly stroked the ball home with a smile. The win to Brisbane Roar on penalty shoot-out.
Canberra United's season now over despite a gallant effort on their behalf but a deserving win to Brisbane, who now line up for their third Grand Final appearance. What an entertaining game from two contrasting sides. Best for Brisbane were De Vanna, Laura Alleway and Casey Dumont. For Canberra Ellie Brush, Michelle Heyman and Lydia Williams were stand-outs.