An inspired first-half performance from Brisbane Roar midfielder Momo Hayashi inspired the Queenslanders to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Unite Round on Friday night.
Hayashi scored twice before half-time to set up Brisbane’s third-consecutive victory; Tameka Yallop put the Roar out of sight in the second half with a stunning strike from range in her 153rd appearance for Brisbane – a new club record – before Emily Pringle iced the game with a goal of some style.
The result sent Brisbane to the top of the Ninja A-League table – although there are still four games to play in Unite Round this weekend.
Hayashi spent six seasons at NPL Queensland side Gold Coast United before signing for Brisbane ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Having cemented herself as one of the stars of the NPL, the Japanese midfielder has earned her first opportunity in the Ninja A-League and on Friday night, produced a performance to savour – a performance that has been a long time coming for the 29-year-old.
Hayashi scored her first two Brisbane goals in a stellar first-half display against Western Sydney, continuing her seamless transition from the NPL to the Roar, and firing her new team to the top of the Ninja A-League table.
Brisbane’s second-consecutive win came in Matildas legend Yallop’s record-breaking 153rd game for the club; Yallop surpassed Clare Polkinghorne as Brisbane’s record appearance maker on Friday night – and celebrated the occasion with a stellar strike in the second half of a big win to the Roar.
The first half belonged to Hayashi who scored twice before the break – and her first goal of the night came via a heavy deflection off Western Sydney’s wall as they attempted to defend the Japanese midfielder’s free-kick which ended up in the back of the net.
Hayashi has starred in midfield for Roar alongside Young Matildas star Alicia Woods who, in the 39th minute, almost scored a Goal of the Year contender with a bending left-footed effort from outside the box which crashed off the crossbar.
In first-half stoppage time, Hayashi doubled her tally with a driven strike on the edge of the penalty area which skidded past Wanderers keeper Sham Khamis on its way into the bottom-right corner.
Brisbane continued to dominate proceedings after half-time.
Hayashi hit the roof of the net from a long-range free-kick as she threatened to secure her hat-trick before Yallop was presented with a big chance to make it 3-0 to the Roar.
Evi Popadinova’s initial shot was saved by Khamis into Yallop’s path but under pressure from the Wanderers defence, Yallop failed to angle the ball on target.
But after missing from close range, Yallop produced a moment of class to put the Roar out of sight.
Up 3-0 and cruising, the Roar looked set to ease to a three-goal victory before Pringle made it four, playing the ball through the legs of Danika Matos before placing and a composed finish into the bottom-right corner.
