Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Brisbane Roar
by Jonathon Hagger (9/2/25)
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers (hooped shirts) and Brisbane Roar battle for possession today. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Western Sydney Wanderers claimed only their second A-League Women victory of the season thanks to Maddie Caspers’ goal two minutes from the end of regulation time – a strike that condemned Brisbane Roar to a fifth defeat in their last six matches.
Having been on the receiving end of a lot of bad luck so far this season, the young Western Sydney Wanderers players absorbed pressure, converted their chances, and achieved a well deserved win.
The Roar were, at one stage this season looking to be Grand Final contenders as they swept into the top three. But their run of results over the past six weeks are just a pale shadow of those opening months of the season.
Fast paced and high intensity are the accurate words to describe the opening exchanges of the match. Wanderers’ precision passing while in possession created space for them to fire the opening shot in goal. Not to be outdone, Brisbane quickly countered with two chances attacking the opposition’s goal. Despite all the early shots on target, neither team were able to score but they signalled their intent for the next 85 minutes of play.
The opening goal in the sixth minute resulted from excellent pressure on the Brisbane defenders. Sienna Saveska collected the ball at the edge of the box and coolly slotted it into the bottom left-hand corner.
One goal was never going to satisfy the Wanderers, and their intent on scoring again almost came to fruition just three minutes later as another loss of possession by the Roar, saw some fancy footwork and a shot by Olivia Price that goalkeeper Olivia Sekany collected.
Brisbane were not going to let the match be one way. A free kick taken by Chelsea Blissett sailed to the far post of the goal, bounced around in the six-yard box, followed up by an attempt to score blocked from two yards out with a clearance coming eventually.
The momentum of the match was heavily in favour of the visitors as the Wanderers struggled to break out of their half. Brisbane set up camp and launched wave after wave of offensive attacks.
Again, in the 17th minute, the Roar had a clear chance to score as an unconvincing throw found their attack around the six-yard box. But it was quick reflexes and well-placed defenders that once again closed down the offensive threat. How long could the Wanderers hold out the Roar attacks?
While the second half started with the heat of the day easing up as cloud cover took the sting out of the sun, the fierceness of the football being played rose significantly. Western Sydney set out their stall to frustrate Brisbane by parking multiple defenders in the 18-yard area to smother wave after wave of Roar attacks.
In a ‘what could have been’ moment in the 55th minute, a beautifully placed cross slid cleanly through the Wanderers goal area. Roar midfielder Alicia Woods launched herself at the ball, and even at full stretch, was just unable to get a toe on the ball. One of the better chances for the Roar to score went unconverted.
The Roar finally equalise in the 67th minute as a lovely layoff pass from Laini Frier found Zara Kruger unmarked at the top of the Wanderers goal area. A wonderfully struck right-footed shot cleared the outstretched arms of Sham Khamis to net the leveller.
Western Sydney responded by bringing on young gun Talia Younis, who had an instant impact with a long pass up the field in the 72nd minute, squared up, and saw a shot fired by Saveska which rebounded to the feet of Younis whose shot was deflected away.
The Wanderers initially thought they had restored their lead goal from the corner as Amy Harrison’s header went into the net, however offside was called.
On the defensive side of the ball in the 77th minute, Isabela Hoyos showed that despite her being only 16, she has incredible strength and positional awareness. In a strong challenge with the experienced Holly Capsers, Hoyos used her physique to shield the ball out of play.
In an unfortunate event, Roar attacker Laini Freier, was involved in a heavy clash that saw her match come to an end. After her first call-up to the Matildas earlier this week, it will be hoped that this is not too serious.
With five minutes of regular time remaining on the clock, both teams decided that they weren’t going to be satisfied settling for a draw. The Roar upped the ante and started applying an increasing amount of pressure and the Wanderers rose up to meet the challenge.
Having won the ball at the halfway mark in the 87th minute, a lovely ball from Danika Matos midway on the left-hand side of the pitch directly to the feet of Caspers who played the ball calmly into the far right-hand corner of the net.
Brisbane had one half chance to secure a point shortly afterwards. A slew of bodies ended up laying on the pitch in the goalmouth. With attacking and defensive players coming together in a confined area, a few players will be nursing bumps and bruises. But it the Western Sydney ones wont mind that as the spoils of victory.
The Roar will now go back to the drawing board after a run of average results. They remain in the top six of the table but have absolutely no margin for error with three sides beneath them within four points of them.
The Wanderers have pride to play for – but cross-town rivals Sydney FC are well in their sight in the bid to avoid bottom spot. Perhaps it is time for the footballing Gods to start smiling on the Western Sydney Wanderers.
To view Kris Goman’s superb set of images from the game for Impetus, check out our Instagram feed – @ImpetusFootball
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-3-3): Khamis, Buchanan, McComasky, Harrison, Matos, Harada, Price (70’), Chessari, Rue, Trew (75’), Saveska. (93’). Substitutes: Segavcic, Kapetanellis (93’), Younis (70’), Caspers (75’), Bennett.
Scorers: Saveska 6’, Caspers 88’.
BRISBANE ROAR: (3-4-3): Sekany, Blissett, Hoyos, McQueen, Pringle, Woods, Kruger, De la Harpe, Freier (81’), Kuilamu (66’), Yallop. Substitutes: Richards, Levin (81’), Popadinova, Ern, Morris (66’).
Scorers: Kruger 67’.
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.
Attendance: TBC.
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