Brisbane Roar 1-2 Melbourne Victory (03/02/24)
By Ben Carey
Above: Alex Chidiac passes the ball to Elise Kellond-Knight in the midfield. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne Victory recorded a tight 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar thanks to a late penalty converted by Rachel Lowe. It was a warm evening in the Sunshine State and there were over 2,000 people in the stands and on the grass behind the goals. The atmosphere was incredible.
Victory got off to a lighting fast start, putting the Roar defence under immense pressure from the get-go. In the third minute, Holly McQueen spotted Emily Gielnik making a dangerous run down the right flank and made a superb slide tackle to deny her a goal scoring opportunity, at the expense of conceding a corner. The corner was taken by Elise Kellond-Knight. It was an awkward high-curling ball that Roar was unable to clear. It fell nicely for Victory defender, Emma Checker, who thumbed it home to secure the early lead. It’s Checker’s second goal in Victory colours, having scored her first against Western United early in the season.
For the next half an hour or so it was a very even contest, both sides having chances up each end. In the 36th minute, Sharn Freier came bounding down the left side, passed it to Tameka Yallop in front of the box, who flicked it on because Victory defenders were crowding her out. The ball made its way to Deborah-Anne de la Harpe who took a shot on goals. The shot was parried away but it fell right to Yallop who volleyed it into the back of the net to equalise the match. The goal was Yallop’s second in as many matches.
Brisbane Roar carried the momentum into the second half, starting strong with a number of chances in the first five minutes alone. Eventually, Melbourne Victory wrestled back control of the match and created some chances of their own, but the Roar defence, and Jordan Silkowitz in goals, was equal to the task.
In the 70th minute, some great build up play from the Roar exposed the Victory defence. Yallop found herself with the ball with some space in a dangerous area in the midfield and decided to go for goals. She took a brilliant shot from about 30 yards out, which was heading for the top middle of the goals, but Courtney Newbon pulled off a simply magnificent reflex save to tip it off the crossbar. It fell to Brisbane striker, Mia Corbin, but she was rushed and was unable to put it away.
About five minutes later, the pendulum swung entirely the other way. Roar were playing a high press, with their defenders up near the halfway mark. A sloppy pass turned over possession to McKenzie Weinert, one of the fastest and most dynamic players on the pitch. She bolted towards the goals, leaving the Roar defenders for dead. She went one on one with Silkowitz who cleaned her up in the box. Silkowitz probably should have been sent off, but instead she received a yellow card and conceded a penalty. Rachel Lowe stepped up and converted from the spot for the second week running, after having scored a penalty against Sydney last week. She’s having quite the campaign.
Victory really picked up their intensity in the last 15 minutes of the match, creating lots of chances. The Roar created a few as well, but nothing came of them. Victory closed out the match with a tight 2-1 win.
This will be a tough one for Brisbane Roar to take. They created tons of dangerous chances, but they were not nearly clinical enough and it came back to haunt them. That said, Jenna McCormick and McQueen put in a solid shift in the backline, both intervening at crucial moments all over the park. Freier was great in the midfield as always, using her speed and footwork to help set up the plays. Yallop in the front line was fantastic yet again. Her experience, physicality, and intent to always win the ball and move forward are a huge asset to any team. Also, her finish today was excellent.
It was a fantastic team performance from Melbourne Victory, who are now undefeated in four matches, coming back from a tough end to the year. Newbon was excellent in goals, making six crucial saves to keep her team in the match. Jamilla Rankin was great against her former side. Checker was strong down the back of the pitch and also clinical once more in front of goal. She got the whole affair off to a positive start. Alex Chidiac was solid in the midfield. But it was the front three who were on another level today. Weinert, Lowe, and Gielnik were a formidable trio, linking together beautifully. Together they created eight chances and took nine shots. Weinert won the penalty, and Lowe converted it. Jeff Hopkins should be pleased with his sides performance.
Melbourne Victory will play Central Coast Mariners away from home next Saturday. Brisbane will also be on the road next week, when they face Western United on Sunday.
BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-3): Silkowitz, Cuthbert, McCormick, De La Harpe, McQueen, Stephenson, Yallop, Norrie, Palmer, Freier, Corbin. Substitutes: Richards, Kirkup, Davies, Levin, Hecher.
Scorers: Yallop 36’.
Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Newbon, Rankin, Morrison, Hansen, Checker, D’Appolonia, Kellond-Knight, Chidiac, Lowe, Weinert, Gielnik. Substitutes: Candy, Murphy, Nash, Okino, Privitelli.
Scorers: Checker 4’, Lowe 77’ (Pen).
Referee: Rebecca Durcau.
Attendance: 2,175
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