A dominant performance from CommBank Matildas star Tameka Yallop inspired Brisbane Roar to a convincing 3-0 Ninja A-League win over Perth Glory at Perry Park on Friday night.
Yallop opened the scoring just seven minutes into the first game of Round 3 of the Ninja A-League season with a remarkable strike from a tight angle, before 20-year-old Tamar Levin doubled the advantage before the quarter-hour mark with one of the best goals of the season to date.
Yallop doubled her tally on the night with a second-half penalty scored after a challenge from Miranda Templeman on Sharn Freier just inside Brisbane’s attacking box; the 33-year-old’s brilliant performance came in her 152nd game for the Roar – equalling fellow Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne’s appearance record at the club.
It was a comprehensive display from Brisbane at Perry Park, highlighted by Levin’s wonderstrike, Yallop’s starring role and the dominance of midfield pair Alicia Woods and Momo Hayashi who both had the ball on a string in the middle of the park.
MATILDAS SQUAD CONFIRMED: 15 Ninja A-League stars earn Matildas call-ups including SIX possible debutants
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Yallop and Levin had Brisbane Roar ahead within 13 minutes – but before the hosts took the lead, the dangerous duo threatened Glory’s goal with a pair of early chances that were well saved by Miranda Templeman in goal.
But there was nothing the Glory keeper could do to keep Yallop off the scoresheet in the seventh minute when the Roar captain took possession on the left wing, sized up her defender Nat Tathem, cut onto her right foot and whipped the ball into the top-right corner.
The individual piece of brilliance sparked a deluge of praise from commentator Grace Gill and co-commentator Alicia Ferguson, on the night Yallop equalled fellow Roar legend Clare Polkinghorne’s club appearance record of 152 games.
“A world-class finish from a world-class player – she does it time and time again for this Brisbane Roar side,” Gill said. “She does it for the Matildas as well.
“Wearing the captain’s armband, playing with confidence – and looking super fit at 33 years young.”
“Really important for Tameka Yallop to stay fit and healthy at this point in her career,” Ferguson added. “I think she’s looking in great form, taking on this leadership role with the Brisbane Roar.
“She’s been there since the first season – I played with her in the first season of the W-League in 2008-09 when we won the Grand Final. (She’s) always been an exceptional talent, an extremely mobile, attacking player.
“Her and Clare Polkinghorne encapsulate what it is to be a Brisbane Roar player, it’s just wonderful to see her leading this team that means so much to her, and what a fantastic finish from Meeks.”
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Brisbane had the early lead through Yallop’s superb opener but Levin, after squandering an early opportunity, picked a long-range strike out of the top drawer to send the hosts two-goals clear.
Levin received the ball in midfield and, having spotted Templeman off her line, lobbed the Glory keeper from distance to put her side in command of the Friday-night clash.
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The two sides came back out from the half-time break under a deluge of heavy rainfall and the change in conditions was matched by a change in approach from Perth, who began to create chances and enjoy more possession in an improved second-half performance.
But Perth’s hopes quickly faded when a challenge from Templeman on Roar substitute Sharn Freier inside the box led to a penalty awarded to Brisbane by referee Georgia Ghirardello.
Both Freier and Yallop received call-ups to the Matildas squad on Friday morning and to celebrate the occasion, the former won the penalty for the latter to convert with an ice-cool attempt from the spot.
Neither side added to the scoresheet after Yallop’s second and Brisbane’s third of the night as the Roar cruised to a comfortable win. The result took the Roar to the top of the Ninja A-League table, level with Melbourne City on six points.
MATILDAS SQUAD CONFIRMED: 15 Ninja A-League stars earn Matildas call-ups including SIX possible debutants
MATILDAS SQUAD CONFIRMED: 15 Ninja A-League stars earn Matildas call-ups including SIX possible debutants
