Brisbane goalkeeper Olivia Sekany delivered an outstanding performance that secured a point for the Roar against Western United in a match that saw striker Danelle Tan’s 94th-minute goal controversially disallowed for offside.
On a sweltering afternoon in Brisbane, the Roar faced relentless pressure, and it was Sekany’s remarkable saves that kept Western United from finding the back of the net, ensuring a goalless stalemate in Queensland.
The Brisbane side had to navigate the final moments of the match with just 10 players after defender Isabela Hoyos sustained an ankle injury and was unable to continue.
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Danelle Tan thought she had clinched victory for Brisbane in the dying moments, but the Singaporean forward was ruled offside in a dramatic conclusion at Perry Park.
The draw leaves Brisbane in fifth place on the Ninja A-League ladder at the conclusion of Round 16, just one point behind Western United in fourth.
This marks Brisbane Roar’s first drawn match in 20 outings in the Ninja A-League—an unbeaten stretch that spanned 393 days.
Youngster Grace Kuilamu, brimming with confidence, burst into the box in the early exchanges, forcing a smart save from Chloe Lincoln, who later watched a shot from Mariel Hecher flash across her goal.
Western United responded with an effort of their own, with Aimee Medwin unleashing a knuckleball shot towards the near post, which was expertly saved by Sekany. The keeper then dove to her right to deflect a powerful strike from Western captain Chloe Logarzo.
Evdokiya Popadinova came the closest to scoring before the break but failed to connect with a threatening cross that swept across the face of the Western goal, leaving the score level at half-time.
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After the re-start, Medwin started brightly, launching a powerful shot from the edge of the box, requiring a superb tip-over save from the impressive Sekany.
While Western dominated possession, Roar midfielder Zara Kruger squandered a chance to score, firing over when unmarked inside the box, as both sides pressed for the breakthrough goal.
Logarzo, sensing an opportunity, ought to have put Western in front. The Matildas midfielder found space at the edge of the box to connect with Medwin’s precise cross but disappointingly steered her side-footed volley wide of the target, despite being completely unmarked.
Continuing their offensive push, Western forward Sara Eggesvik attempted a long-range strike, but Sekany, ever composed, saved again, this time smothering a low free-kick from Grace Maher.
In a setback for Brisbane, 16-year-old defender Isabela Hoyos had to be substituted in the dying moments due to an ankle injury, leaving the Roar with only 10 players as head coach Alex Smith had already used all available substitutions.
Despite playing with a numerical disadvantage, the Roar almost snatched a late victory. However, Tan’s powerful header was disallowed for offside, amid some confusion in the stadium.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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