Sydney FC 1-3 Brisbane Roar
By Kieran Yap 5/2/26
Above: Brisbane Roar’s goal scorers Daisy Brown and Momo Hayashi. Photo: Brisbane Roar
A Momo Hayashi wondergoal sealed a 3-1 win for Brisbane Roar against Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval. Daisy Brown scored the opener for The Roar before a brilliant equalizer from Hana Lowry for the home side. Hayashi’s brace was all that separated the sides in an entertaining, attacking game.
Brisbane Roar travelled south in strong form. Alex Smith’s side has suffered significant injuries to star players, but have continued to collect the points. They arrived to face Sydney FC as a side undefeated in six games.
The home side’s fortunes were in stark contrast. Sydney FC have only two wins this season, both coming back in November, and James Slaveski was looking for a third in his first game as interim manager.
Sydney were without Sarah Hunter. The captain was unavaiable due to a broken collarbone. Mackenzie Hawkesby partnered Lowry in midfield, while Amber Luchtmiejer started as the central attacker.
Brisbane started the game in better fashion. Aimee Medwin almost opened the scoring with a long range effort, but her shot whizzed wide of the far post.
The visitors did not have to wait long for to break the deadlock. Bente Jansen caused a turnover by pressuring Willa Pearson, and her skilfull cutback found Brown who calmly slotted the ball home.
Brisbane continued to apply pressure and move the ball quickly as they searched for a second, but Sydney still looked dangerous on occasion despite generally being outplayed. Riley Tanner had a goal cancelled for being offside and Lowry’s first in sky blue levelled the scores.
The midfielder received the ball in midfield. her first touch took her beyond the oncoming defender and she slalomed beyond a second before unleashing an excellent strike from the edge of the 18 yard box.
Lowry has been so often deployed in a deep, almost defensive or ball-retaining role that it can be easy to forget how deadly she can be around goal. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Sydney FC.
Brisbane tried to hit back almost immediately. Ashlyn Miller tested Heather Hinz, but the in-form Sydney FC goalkeeper was equal to the strike.
Sydney would have probably felt good going into the last minute of the first half. They had worn the attacking storm and levelled the scores. But Hayashi met an excellent corner kick to re-take the lead with the final touch of the half. Brisbane had the advantage at the break.
Despite that setback, Sydney looked more comfortable in the second half. The game was more even, but also more open as the home side chased the lead and Brisbane looked to extend theirs.
The important third goal arrived in stunning style. Hayashi is known for scoring long range rockets, but even by her standards this was incredible. she struck the ball from more than 30 yards out, low and directly into the bottom corner to effectively seal the game. Even the league’s best goalkeeper, at full stretch, could do nothing to stop it.
Sydney FC did not get the “new manager bounce” many fans would have hoped for, but there were positive signs. Hawkesby’s return to midfield gave the side more drive and attacking purpose through the centre of the park. Lowry’s more advanced role, paid immediate dividends and Bianca Galic added drive off the bench.
They should be able to build off that, but they face another in-form finals bound side next week in Canberra United.
Brisbane can chase first place on the table when they face Melbourne City in another away trip, but with City losing against Western Sydney Wanderers, Alex Smith’s side will feel anything is possible.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Hinz, Tumeth, Ayson, Pearson, Fenton, Hawkesby, Lowry, Cassar, Lemon, Luchtmeijer, Tanner. Substitutes: Robertson, Ulkekul, Halmarick, Tallon-Henniker, Galic.
Goals: Lowry 35′
BRISBANE ROAR (4-3-3): Lincoln, Medwin, Seidl, Piazza, Studer, Hayashi, Woods, Miller, Meyers, Jansen, Brown. Substitutes: Franco, Stephenson, Cuthbert, Kinsella, Hoyos, Hanson.
Goals: Brown 10′, Hayashi 45′, 74′
Referee: Molly Godsell
Attendance: TBC
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