The Western Sydney Wanderers produced an impressive response to an early setback, overcoming an unfortunate own goal to take control of their Ninja A-League clash in front of the Red & Black faithful at CommBank Stadium.
Youngster Talia Younis played a starring role in the comeback, providing an assist before finding the back of the net herself, while Brooke Miller added the finishing touches late in the contest to cap off a commanding home performance.
- Final score: Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 Brisbane Roar at CommBank Stadium
- Sofia Palywoda levelled in the 15th minute from Talia Younis’s assist, before Younis converted a penalty in the 66th minute to put the Wanderers ahead
- Brooke Miller sealed the win in the 80th minute, set up by half-time substitute Allyssa Ng-Saad
- Sarah Langman made seven saves to keep Brisbane at bay
First half
The Wanderers were dealt an early setback at CommBank Stadium, with Brisbane Roar taking the lead in the seventh minute following an unfortunate own goal from Sofia Sakalis.
Despite the early disappointment, the Red & Black responded with determination, immediately looking to regain control of the contest.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 15th minute when Talia Younis delivered a dangerous ball into the area following a corner, finding Sofia Palywoda, who rose highest to direct a superb header into the top corner and bring the Wanderers level.
The equaliser sparked renewed confidence in the home side, who continued to push forward and create opportunities.
Younis came close to adding her name to the scoresheet with an effort from distance that drifted narrowly wide, while Elexa Bahr threatened on multiple occasions, including a header from a Milly Bennett delivery that sailed just past the post.
Brisbane looked to respond with chances of their own, but Wanderers goalkeeper Sarah Langman remained composed, producing important saves to deny Daisy Brown and Hali Long as the visitors searched for a way back in front.
The Red & Black continued to apply pressure as the half progressed, with Brooke Miller looking particularly lively in the attacking third.
Miller went close with an effort that narrowly missed the target before forcing Brisbane goalkeeper Tahlia Franco into a save in the 45th minute following a well-worked attacking move involving Samantha Iredale.
Despite creating several promising opportunities, the Wanderers headed into the half-time break locked at 1-1, having shown an encouraging response to their early setback.
Second half
The Wanderers emerged from the half-time break with renewed attacking intent, as head coach Geoff Abrahams introduced Allyssa Ng-Saad in place of Samantha Iredale.
The Red & Black immediately looked to assert themselves, with Brooke Miller and Elexa Bahr both trying their luck from distance before Talia Younis forced Brisbane goalkeeper Tahlia Franco into action with an effort in the 51st minute.
The home side continued to build momentum, with their attacking persistence finally rewarded in the 66th minute.
After Annabel Martin was penalised for a foul inside the area, Younis stepped up to the penalty spot and confidently dispatched her effort into the top right corner, completing the turnaround and handing the Wanderers a deserved 2-1 lead.
With the Red & Black now in front, Abrahams introduced fresh legs in the 69th minute, bringing on Nikkita Fazzari and Carleigh Frilles in place of Sofia Sakalis and Bahr.
Brisbane attempted to find a response, but the Wanderers’ defensive line stood firm, with Tiana Jaber, Silje Bjørneboe and Milly Bennett producing a series of important blocks to deny the visitors a clear opportunity.
The Wanderers’ determination at both ends of the pitch was rewarded again in the 80th minute when a swift counterattack put the result firmly in their favour.
Ng-Saad sparked the attacking move, releasing Miller into space before the forward produced a superb finish from outside the penalty area, finding the top right corner to extend the Red & Black’s advantage to 3-1.
Despite Brisbane continuing to push forward in the closing stages, goalkeeper Sarah Langman remained composed, producing important saves to deny Kijah Stephenson and Maja Markovski.
Further changes saw Isabella Chidiac and Estelle Fragale introduced late in the contest as the Wanderers maintained their advantage through to the final whistle.
The result sealed an impressive 3-1 victory for the Red & Black, capping off a determined comeback and a memorable afternoon in front of the Wanderers faithful at CommBank Stadium.
Full time
The 3-1 victory marked an important result for the Red & Black, who secured their first three points of the Ninja A-League season in front of the Wanderers faithful at CommBank Stadium.
Having fallen behind early, Geoff Abrahams’ side demonstrated resilience and attacking quality to turn the contest in their favour, securing their first victory after conceding the opening goal since their 3-2 triumph over Sydney FC on 31 January.
Youngster Talia Younis was instrumental in the comeback, contributing a goal and an assist, while Brooke Miller’s spectacular second-half strike capped off an impressive attacking performance. At the other end, Sarah Langman produced a series of important saves to ensure the Wanderers maintained their advantage.
The performance was reflected in the statistics, with the Red & Black enjoying 59.7% of possession and registering 18 shots to Brisbane’s 14, including seven efforts on target.
The result also marked a significant victory against a Brisbane side that has historically held the advantage in this fixture, highlighting the Wanderers’ determination to make CommBank Stadium a difficult place for visiting teams.
With their first win of the campaign secured, the Red & Black will look to build on the performance and carry that momentum into the coming Matchweeks.
