Canberra United made it back-to-back Ninja A-League wins on Sunday evening after a Sienna Dale’s first-half strike saw them defeat Brisbane Roar 1-0 at McKellar Park.
Playing against her old side, Brisbane forward Maja Markovski was inches away from finding the opener with a curled effort from the edge of the box that crashed back off the crossbar in the eighth minute.
Matildas veteran Michelle Heyman had the home side’s first effort on goal shortly after as the forward fired a low effort towards goal which was comfortably saved by international teammate Chloe Lincoln in the Roar goal.
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The home side began to wrestle control of the contest and made the breakthrough in the 17th minute through Sienna Dale.
Collecting a Nanako Sasaki pass out on the Canberra right, Sasha Grove hit the byline and whipped a cross into the path of the arriving Sienna Dale, who’s brilliant first time flicked effort flew past Lincoln and into the far corner.
Heyman almost doubled the home side’s lead on the approach to half-time but her powerful effort from a tight angle was brilliantly tipped over the bar by a flying save from Lincoln.
Canberra were the dominant force at the start of the second half with Heyman forcing another good save out of Lincoln at her near post.
Antoni Jagarinec’s side were now getting in behind the Roar backline with ease but were constantly thwarted by an inspired Lincoln between the sticks, who pulled off a great save to deny substitute Kelli Brown from close range.
Brisbane Roar did their best to apply some late pressure in the second half but the home side held firm to secure their second win of the season and their second consecutive clean sheet.
The win sees Jagarinec’s side move up to seventh on the ladder ahead of their Matchweek 6 clash with Sydney FC.
As for Brisbane Roar, Johnathan Clemente’s side suffer their fourth loss of the campaign and sit ninth on the ladder.
The Roar are back in action in Matchweek 6 of the Ninja A-League season when they welcome reigning champions Melbourne City to Gioca Stadium.
