Western United 3-2 Brisbane Roar
By Kieran Yap 11/2/24
Above: Mia Corbin scored an excellent goal to put Roar in the lead, but it wasn’t enough to win the match. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Chloe Logarzo scored twice as Western United came from a goal down to win 3-2 against Brisbane Roar. The result puts Kat Smith’s side up to second on the ladder, and might make them the form side of the competition leading into the final weeks of the season.
The task was always a big one for the visiting Roar. Despite some vocal Victorian based support, they arrived at City Vista without two key players. Aesha Norrie and Hollie Palmer were both missing through suspension. Coach Alex Smith entrusted Alisha Woods with the midfield along with Tameka Yallop.
Western United had a near full squad to choose from. They welcomed back Aimee Medwin for the first time in 12 months, while Tyla-Jay Vlajnic returned to the starting eleven.
Vlajnic’s influence was almost instant. Her corner kick in the eighth minute set up the opening goal. Logazro met the ball at the near post, and her flicked header whizzed past Jordan Silkowitz. It was the brightest possible start by the home side, but Brisbane Roar were not perturbed by going behind. By half time they were a goal ahead through the wing wizardly of Sharn Freier.
The first goal came through a typical Freier run. A burst of acceleration on the left put her clear and she drove into the penalty box to tee up Kijah Stephenson to score. It was the 22 year old’s third goal this season, the local product has always been talented, but is starting to influence games regularly and has plenty of composure in the final third.
The second goal was the result of something that Freier is not always known for. She sent in an early, curling cross from deep that Mia Corbin was able to hammer home off the woodwork. The Western United defence started to backpedal as soon as Freier received the ball, likely expecting another sprint, but she used that space to produce an inch perfect ball for Corbin. The finish matched the pass, and Western were suddenly chasing the game.
As the game passes the hour, both sides made changes. Kahli Johnson and Aimee Medwin were brought on for Western United. Brisbane withdrew Corbin and Mariel Hecher, to be replaced by Tamar Levin and Bonnie Davies. Johnson was immediately involved with a cross and shot. Her direct style provided a different challenge to the tricky Kiwa Hieda. Logarzo almost scored her second after running onto a long Vlajnic pass, but Silkowitz produced a remarkable close range save.
With 10 minutes to play, and after already having a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper, Western drew level. Once again it was from a corner kick, this time it was Adriana Taranto who glanced the header into the net.
Relief turned to triumph in injury time when Western re-took the lead. Johnson’s right footed rocket crashed off the crossbar, and in the ensuing scramble to clear, Yallop brought down Adriana Taranto. Logarzo took spot-kick duties and celebrated a big week for herself with the winning goal.
The win was Western United’s fourth in a row. Kat Smith was able to make substitutions and tactical tweaks to wrestle back control of a match that they looked likely to lose. They have depth on the bench and game changing potential on the pitch and in reserve. Brisbane Roar would be encouraged by their attacking display. In Freier they have one of the league’s most dangerous wingers, and in Corbin they have a player who can finish the chances. But they will be disappointed in the way that they conceded. Two nearly identical corners and a last minute penalty kick is a frustrating way to lose an away game, especially after spending the majority of the match in a winning position.
Brisbane Roar continue on the road next week against Newcastle in what shapes up to be an opportunity for both sides.
Western United 4-3-3: Beall, Papadopoulos, Cerne, Maher, Vlajnic, Sawicki, A Taranto, M Taranto, Hieda, Logarzo, Keane. Subs: Medwin, Johnson, Dall ‘Oste, Prakash, Dakic
Scorers: Logarzo 8’ 92’ A Taranto 79’
Brisbane Roar 3-4-3: Silkowitz, Cuthbert, McCormick, McQueen, De La Harpe, Woods, Yallop, Freier, Stephenson, Corbin, Hecher. Subs: Levin, Davies, Brodigan, Richards, Kirkup.
Scorers: Stephenson 29’ Corbin 31’
Referee: Bec Mackie
Attendance: TBC
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