Roar upset Canberra in W-League semi
Brisbane Roar have booked a place in the W-League grand final with a 2-1 victory over premiers Canberra United.
A goal from midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight in the 58th minute settled the semi-final for the Queenslanders, who earned the win in wet conditions in front of 1,148 hardened spectators at McKellar Park in Canberra.
“I don’t think we controlled the game, but we put in a solid performance,” Kellond-Knight said.
“It wasn’t pretty football, but we’re content with the win.”
The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute with a well-rehearsed corner, with unmarked Kim Carroll bundling the ball into the net from close range.
“We’ve struggled with our set plays a bit this year, but I was in the right spot at the right time,” Carroll said.
It was somewhat against the run of play when Canberra equalised midway through the half, and as with the Brisbane strike, the goal came from a corner.
Lori Lindsey bent in a terrific cross that Brisbane couldn’t clear, and in the ensuing scramble Caitlin Munoz scored.
Canberra United striker Michelle Heyman went close to scoring after the break, but was desperately denied by German and Brisbane goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.
Within minutes Brisbane made Canberra pay as they re-took the lead, once again coming from a corner, finished off by cracking shot from Kellond-Knight.
Canberra United coach Elizabeth Migchelsen told reporters after the match she believed her side was unlucky not to jag the win.
“If you look through the game how many chances they (Brisbane) actually got, I think you can count them on one hand,” she said.
Brisbane Roar will play the winner of Sunday’s clash between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory in next week’s final.