Alyssa Mautz made a goalscoring start to her second spell in Glory colours as Bobby Despotovski’s side secured a battling 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar in their Round One clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The American midfielder capped off some fine approach work from Caitlin Doeglas to put the visitors in front early in the second half and they looked set to repeat last season’s victory in the corresponding fixture right up until the 89th minute when Carson Pickett converted from Chioma Ubogagu’s cross.
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Despite the late nature of the equaliser, however, Despotovski was generally very satisfied with his charges’ performance, particularly given that Sam Kerr and Nikki Stanton were unavailable through suspension, while new recruit Jacynta Galabadaarachchi was away on international duty.
“Overall, the way Brisbane played in the first half and the way we responded in the second, a draw was probably a fair result,” he said.
“When you look at it, their captain, Katrina Gorry, was playing her 100th game and is one of the most influential players in the world and she’s being marked by Abbey Meakins who’s playing her first game.
“Then there’s Jamie-Lee [Gale], Isabella [Foletta] and Liana [Cook] also all making their debuts, but everyone contributed and I was pleased with how we played.
“We were missing three influential players, but everyone who played today did themselves, us coaches and the club proud.”
Glory were denied the best possible start in the Sunshine State when Rachel Hill rattled the underside of the bar with a powerful strike after just nine minutes, but it was Roar who created the bulk of the rest of the chances before the break.
Eliza Campbell marked her Glory debut by saving well from Ubogagu, while Gorry and Allira Toby were both guilty of wasting great opportunities for the hosts.
In the second half, however, Glory forced themselves into the contest and edged in front via a rapid counter-attack which culminated in Mautz sliding home Doeglas’ cross from the left.
The lively Hill then forced Eli Chapple in to a fine save, only for Pickett to pop up right at the death and snatch a share of the spoils for the Queenslanders.
Glory return to action next Sunday with another tough away trip, this time to Canberra United.
Match Details
Brisbane Roar 1 (Pickett 89′) Perth Glory 1 (Mautz 54′)
Half-time: 0-0
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
Brisbane Roar FC: 30.Elli CHAPPLE (gk), 2.Carson PICKETT, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Jenna MCCORMICK, 6.Celeste BOUREILLE, 9.Chioma UBOGAGU, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 12.Allira TOBY (18.Leah DAVIDSON 68′), 19.Hollie PALMER (15.Abbey LLOYD 87′), 22.Anna MARGRAF (14.Summer O’BRIEN 79′),
Substitutes not used: 40.Kezia PRITCHARD (gk)
Yellow cards: Ubogagu, Boureille
Red cards: None
Perth Glory FC: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2.Sarah CARROLL, 3.Kim CARROLL (c), 4.Alyssa MAUTZ, 5.Shannon MAY, 6.Abbey MEAKINS, 9.Rachel HILL, 13.Jamie-Lee GALE (17.Liana COOK 62′), 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS (18. Isabella FOLETTA 76′), 24.Natasha RIGBY, 25.Katie NAUGHTON
Substitutes not used: 15.Alexia MORENO, 23.Stacey CAVILL (gk)
Yellow cards: Foletta, Rigby
Red cards: None
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