A brilliant display from Brisbane goalkeeper Olivia Sekany was enough to help the Roar earn a point against Western United in a game where striker Danelle Tan had a 94th minute goal ruled out for offside.
Forced to withstand constant pressure on a hot afternoon in Brisbane, Roar had keeper Sekany to thank for keeping Western United at bay as she produces a series of impressive saves to ensure it remained goalless in Queensland.
Brisbane were forced to play out the final stages of the game with 10 players after defender Isabela Hoyos limped off with an ankle injury.
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Striker Danelle Tan thought she’d won it for the home side late on however the Singaporean forward was flagged for offside in what was a frantic finish at Perry Park.
A point apiece sees Brisbane sit fifth on the ladder at the end of Round 16 in the Ninja A-League, one point behind Western United in fourth.
The stalemate is also Brisbane Roar’s first draw in 20 Ninja A-League matches – a run that lasted for 393 days.
Full of confidence, youngster Grace Kuilamu drove into the box in the opening stages and forced a smart save from Chloe Lincoln before the keeper then saw a Mariel Hecher shot fly across her goal.
Western responded with a good effort of their own as Aimee Medwin sent a knuckleball towards the near post which was well saved by Brisbane keeper Olivia Sekany before the shot-stopper then sprung to her right to palm away a ferocious drive from Western captain Chloe Logarzo.
Evdokiya Popadinova arguably came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break but the Bulgarian couldn’t connect with a dangerous ball across the face of the Western goal as it remained all square at half-time.
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Starting the second-half brightly, Medwin fired a powerful shot on goal from the edge of the box which was well saved by the impressive Sekany who tipped the ball over the bar for a corner.
Whilst it was largely Western who were dominating Roar midfielder Zara Kruger fired over when free inside the box as both sides continued their search for the opener.
Sensing the breakthrough wasn’t far away Logarzo then really should have out Western in front.
Ghosting in from the top of the box the Matildas midfielder connected with Medwin’s pinpoint cross but steered her side-footed volley wide of the target despite being completely unmarked on the penalty spot.
Continuing to up the ante, Western forward Sara Eggesvik took aim from distance but her powerful shot was saved by Sekany who once again showed calmness and composure in the Brisbane goal to smother a low free-kick from Grace Maher.
In a blow for Brisbane, 16-year-old defender Isabela Hoyoz limped off in the final stages of the game with an ankle injury meaning her side had to continue with 10 players with head coach Alex Smith having used up all of his substitute windows.
Despite being reduced to 10 the home side thought they’d won it late in the game however Tan’s powerful match-winning header was flagged for offside despite confusion inside the ground.
