New Zealand international Indiah-Paige Riley celebrated her return to the Brisbane Roar with a cracking goal before Adelaide United skipper Chelsie Dawber equalised for a 1-1 draw in their Liberty A-League clash at Redcliffe.
Riley last played for the Roar on March 1, 2020 and let rip with a rocket to give the home side the lead in the 26th minute after slick lead-up play by defender Talitha Kramer.
Dawber was outstanding for the visitors and she levelled in the 47th minute with a cool penalty after Roar’s Kajsa Lind was pinged for a hand-ball inside the box.
Adelaide had not scored in their past three matches with their last goal recorded in the 1-0 win over Wellington on December 17.
That goal drought had coincided with three consecutive losses.
Dawber was everywhere and deserved her reward.
Riley, 21, last represented the Roar in 2020 before making a move to Danish club Fortuna Hjorring, from where she went on to play in round of 16 in the UEFA Women’s Champion League against Barcelona in 2021.
She was signed by the Roar as an injury replacement for Brazilian import Mariel Hecher who ruptured her ACL last month.
“It’s super nice to be wearing the orange jersey and playing in front of the home crowd again,” Riley said.
“I’ve been playing with these girls since I was young so it is really exciting.
“I am happy to get on the score sheet but at Brisbane we want to win.”
Riley said Dawber was “very strong” and a threat all game for a quality Adelaide side.
Riley will represent New Zealand against the USA this week in Wellington.
Roar coach Garrath McPherson said it was great to have Riley back.
“The opportunity to bring her in was coincidental. We often have ex-Roar players who have gone overseas and when they come back on a holiday they will often come into training,” he said.
“She was just back training with us around the time Mariel got hurt and was ready to leave Denmark and it just lined up that we needed a wide striker.”
Riley was substituted in the 58th minute after a superb return
The Roar had a goal disallowed in the fourth minute when Riley was ruled offside after a cross from forward Shea Connors.
Matildas star Katrina Gorry hit the woodwork twice for the Roar from outside the box with powerful strikes while fellow Matilda Larissa Crummer had a sublime chip just float over the bar.
Connors also just shot over the bar as the hosts went in search of the winner.
Adelaide are in fifth position on the ladder on 13 points with the Roar two points further back in seventh.