Brisbane Roar will meet Canberra United in the Westfield W-League grand final after eliminating Sydney FC in a sensational penalty-shootout win at Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Brisbane Roar will meet Canberra United in the Westfield W-League grand final after eliminating Sydney FC in a sensational penalty-shootout win at Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Roar had been out of the contest until star bench weapon Emily Gielnik scored a stunner in the final minute of injury time, sending the game into a thrilling extra-time period, followed by a 4-3 triumph from the penalty spot.
Adding to the drama was a second yellow card for star player Kyah Simon in the dying seconds of extra-time, which was followed by coach Alen Stajcic blowing up at officials and being escorted by security into the stands.
The victory means Brisbane have qualified for each of the competition’s four grand finals, while Sydney miss out on the decider for the first time in three seasons.
Both sides had great chances to win the game in extra-time, but keepers Casey Dumont and Allison Shipper stood tall.
Brooke Spence, Tameka Butt, Aivi Luik and Kim Carroll all converted their penalties for Brisbane, while Terasa Polias and Estelle Johnson were the unlucky ladies to miss for Sydney.
Sydney’s opener came in the 18th minute when Renee Rollason rose above the pack to latch on and head home a perfectly-weighted free kick from Servet Uzunlar, taken 40 yards out and towards the right-hand sideline.
Through the opening 15 both sides were erring on the side of caution, with the Roar’s best chances coming through probing long balls for speedy forward Tameka Butt and Sydney answering fire with a sequence of dangerous, long-range free kicks.
Brisbane’s tempo began to lift after falling behind, and with increased time in the opposition half came their best chance of the first half in the 26th minute, as Joanne Burgess went fractionally wide with an impressive sting from the top of the area.
Kyah Simon went close to doubling the Sydney lead approaching half time, throwing herself horizontal and heading past Casey Dumont, only to be denied a stunner by the crossbar.
Brisbane came out from the break looking to seize control, and with strong effort and some sharp passing they soon had the momentum.
Gielnik was introduced at the halfway point – replacing Lana Harch – and her influence was immediately felt with a run chances created through her pace and will for the ball.
Brisbane Roar 1 (Gielnik 95)
Sydney FC 1 (Rollason 18)
Crowd: 1648
