NPLW Round #19: We Fall in the Classico

A SHARN FREIER POKER CONDEMNS US TO DEFEAT IN A TENSE BRISBANE CLASSICO

Our Lions Women are sentenced to a painful defeat as the visitors tear us apart in the second half

Brisbane City set the tone in the Brisbane Classico, dominating possession in our half and pinning our defence as we struggled to break free from our half. An early chance saw the visitors strike the post before our Lions Women began to grow into the game.

Bella Shuttleworth made a reliable catch at her near post to prevent a powerful strike from rising into the roof of the net, and our Lions Women continued to endure the pressure while progressing forward in numbers. We won several fouls in the final third as we continued to advance.

Despite a strong performance across a tense first half, Sharn Freier broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

The second half could not have started worse.

Sharn Freier doubled City’s lead within 15 seconds before rounding the keeper to secure her hattrick two minutes later. Within ten minutes of the restart, Sharn Freier had her fourth as the visitors punished us with brutal defiance.

A penalty after the hour-mark allowed Brisbane City to make it five before a goal thirty seconds later made it 6-0 in 66 minutes.

It’s a tough result to digest at home, but our Lions Women will rise again. We will reflect on what we’ve learned, reset our attention, and move forward.