Chelsea Blissett’s first-ever Liberty A-League goal helped high-flying Brisbane Roar stun defending champions Sydney FC 1-0 in front of a record crowd on Saturday.
Blissett’s brilliant curling effort in the 21st minute not only saw the 23-year-old celebrate her first goal in her 46th appearance, but it helped Brisbane preserve their perfect start to the 2023-24 season.
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The Roar upstaged the Premiership-Championship holders at Ballymore Stadium, where a standalone club-record crowd of 3,679 fans packed in to watch Brisbane usher in the new campaign with back-to-back wins for just the third time in their history and first time since 2015-16.
All eyes were on Tameka Yallop as the Matildas star made her Brisbane return following the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It was her first appearance for Brisbane since April 2021 after spending time abroad.
Sydney had only lost one of their past eight A-League Women games against Brisbane, but buoyed by a strong home crowd, the Roar controlled the early proceedings.
Ballymore Stadium erupted in the 21st minute as Blissett – in her first season with the Roar having arrived from Melbourne City – broke the deadlock in memorable fashion.
Blissett had the ball in the penalty area and she drifted onto her left foot before curling a shot past Sydney goalkeeper Jada Whyman for her first ever Liberty A-League goal.
As the half wore on, Sydney grew into the contest in search of an equaliser but Brisbane appeared relatively comfortable in defence.
It was a tight an tense affair in the second half, with neither team giving away an inch.
Sydney continued to push numbers forward, with Matildas star Cortnee Vine at the heart of their attacks, but the Roar remained resolute.
Vine was also gifted an equaliser when Brisbane’s American goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz played the ball straight to the Australia international.
Fortunately for Silkowitz and the Roar, Vine could not find the back of the net with 17 minutes remaining.
The Talking Point
Not since 2015-16 had Brisbane won back-to-back matches to begin a season and standing in their way was defending champions Sydney FC.
However, the Roar achieved the feat for just the third time in their history (W3 – 2009 and W2 – 2015-2016).
It also condemned Sydney to their first loss against Brisbane since February 2021.
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Step forward Brisbane full-back Blissett.
All the pre-game hype centred around returning Matildas star Yallop and teenage sensation Grace Kuilamu following her exploits against Melbourne Victory in Round 1.
However, new signing Blissett – part of Melbourne City’s Championship-winning side in 2020 – produced a moment of magic that decided the showdown in Brisbane.
What it means
Brisbane have claimed six points from a possible six to boast a 100% record at the start of the season.
It is boost for the Roar, who have not played finals football since 2020-21, as they meet Wellington Phoenix following the international break on November 4.
For Sydney, it is back to the drawing board following their first loss of the season.
The Sky Blues have three points from two games and they are not back in league action until November 12 due to their AFC Women’s Club Championship commitments.
