A superb Vedrana Popovic free-kick fired the Brisbane Roar to a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in the Westfield W-League at the Veneto Club on Saturday.
A superb Vedrana Popovic free-kick fired the Brisbane Roar to a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in the Westfield W-League at the Veneto Club on Saturday.
Victory were unlucky not to get an equaliser in a second half they dominated as they lost at home for the first time since the 2010/11 season.
Both sides made a cagey start with Brisbane’s Tameka Butt fashioning the first chance of the game after 15 minutes, but her effort from the left sailed just over the bar.
The Roar continued to create and they took the lead just three minutes later thanks to some individual brilliance from Popovic.
Her free-kick from the left floated past Victory goalkeeper Brianna Davey and into the top right corner from 20 yards to give Brisbane the early advantage.
Amy Chapman had two opportunities to double the Roar’s lead shortly after and while Victory were not poor, they were failing to convert their possession into chances unlike their opponents.
It took 40 minutes for Mike Mulvey’s side to go close, with captain Louisa Bisby sending a terrific 25-yard effort fizzing past the post.
Amy Jackson had a left-foot shot go just wide only moments after but the Victory did get a reprieve when Brisbane captain Clare Polkinghorne – who was sent through on goal – failed to convert a one-on-one opportunity when she shot straight at Davey on the stroke of half-time.
Victory had a golden chance to equalise nine minutes into the second half but American striker Jessica McDonald had to watch in agony as her shot grazed the post.
The move – set up by Stephanie Catley – was Victory’s best and although Brisbane substitute Emily Gielnik fired wide just moments after, Melbourne were on top.
The impressive Catley hit a cracking left-foot effort from 25 yards that flew just over the top on 63 minutes and she had another strike 12 minutes later but could only shoot straight at Hoshimi Kishi.
Matilda Ashley Brown was stretchered off with 10 minutes to go but it did not stop Victory’s momentum as Jackson, Enza Barilla and Catley all went close again.
Brisbane also conjured a pair of late chances but neither Chapman nor substitute Sachiko Tatsuoka could convert.
It mattered little though as Brisbane condemned Victory to their second successive defeat.
Melbourne Victory 0
Brisbane Roar 1 (Vedrana Popovic 18)
Melbourne Victory: 1. Brianna Davey (gk), 2. Danielle Johnson, 3. Maika Ruyter-Hooley, 4. Rebekah Stott, 7. Stephanie Catley, 9. Tiffany Eliadis (8. Ashley Brown 45′, 18.Cindy Lay 80′), 10. Jessica McDonald 13. Louisa Bisby (c) (11. Caitlin Friend 69′), 14. Enza Barilla, 15. Amy Jackson, 17. Gulcan Koca
Brisbane Roar: 1. Hoshimi Kishi (gk), 2. Laura Alleway (6. Ashley Spina 77′), 3. Amy Chapman, 4. Clare Polkinghorne (capt), 5. Brooke Spence, 7. Erica Elze, 10. Lana Harch (17. Emily Gielnik 55′), 11. Vedrana Popovic, 13. Tameka Butt, 15. Hannah Beard (16. Sachiko Tatsuoka 85′), 19. Katrina-Lee Gorry
