Eight Goals, Two Red Cards, a Hat-Trick, and a Last-Minute Equaliser: Roar Eliminated from Finals Contention in Thrilling Draw

Sophie Harding’s equaliser in the 92nd minute propelled the Western Sydney Wanderers to an exhilarating 4-4 draw, effectively knocking Brisbane Roar out of the Ninja A-League finals contention.

Tameka Yallop was the standout performer for Brisbane, netting a hat-trick, including an 85th-minute goal that seemed to secure a much-needed win after Western Sydney had equalised just moments earlier.

However, 2023-24 Julie Dolan Medallist Harding silenced the Perry Park crowd with her first goal since January, creating a dramatic conclusion to the match.

Brisbane, who hadn’t claimed victory since February 9, faced their fourth consecutive loss, leaving them outside the top six as they fell further behind following Canberra United’s victory over Wellington Phoenix.

The match was rife with drama, particularly when both teams were reduced to 10 players during first-half stoppage time, with Brisbane’s Laini Freier and Wanderers keeper Sham Khamis shown red cards.

With just one round left in the season, Brisbane sits seventh on the table, four points ahead of Canberra, while Western Sydney, despite their position at the bottom, managed to break a streak of five defeats.

Fittingly, the first half at Perry Park was filled with goals and excitement as Yallop shone brightly, scoring twice within 12 minutes to hand the Roar a 2-0 lead.

The opening goal came in the 16th minute when Emily Pringle’s brilliant effort kept the ball in play, allowing her to set up Yallop for the finish.

Yallop added her second goal close to the half-hour mark with a powerful low shot that found the net. The Wanderers managed to pull one back eight minutes before half-time, thanks to a magnificent solo effort from Trew.

In a chaotic end to the half, the match entered stoppage time with both Freier and Khamis receiving red cards, leading to young goalkeeper Aimee Hall making her A-Leagues debut amidst the turmoil and a staff member from Western Sydney receiving a yellow card for attempting to assist with the keepers’ warm-up.

Yallop had a prime opportunity to seal her hat-trick in the 60th minute, but Hall was on hand to deny her with an impressive save. Just moments later, Brisbane defender Leia Varley came inches away from a goal, hitting the crossbar.

Brisbane finally scored again in the 68th minute when a half-volley from Hayashi found its way into the back of the net. Nevertheless, Western Sydney showed resilience, with substitute Caspers equalising within five minutes.

The Wanderers then drew level in the 85th minute, when McComasky scored, but Yallop responded almost instantly to complete her hat-trick.

Yallop’s efforts brought her total to 12 goals for the season, putting her in a tie for second place with Melbourne Victory’s Emily Gielnik, just two behind Holly McNamara of Melbourne City, who has 14.

As the drama unfolded, Harding delivered the final blow with her goal in the second minute of stoppage time, ensuring a thrilling end to an unforgettable match.