A stunning header from 17-year-old Grace Kuilamu sealed a 1-0 victory for Brisbane Roar vs Wellington Phoenix on Sunday night, reigniting their Ninja A-League Women’s campaign. The win provides a vital boost for Brisbane Roar’s season as they look to climb the ladder in the coming weeks.
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A Tense First Half
Wellington Phoenix dominated the opening 45 minutes, dictating play and creating several chances. However, Brisbane’s defensive resilience and the heroics of goalkeeper Olivia Sekany kept the visitors at bay. Sekany, a standout performer this season, pulled off a series of crucial saves to deny the Phoenix an early lead. Despite Wellington’s control, Brisbane showed glimpses of their attacking threat, with Tameka Yallop and Grace Kuilamu linking up well in the final third.
Kuilamu’s Moment of Magic
The breakthrough came in the 62nd minute, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from young star Grace Kuilamu. The 17-year-old starlet, a revelation this season, rose majestically to meet Tameka Yallop’s pinpoint corner. Her powerful header flew past the Wellington goalkeeper, marking her fifth goal of the season and sending the home crowd into raptures. Kuilamu’s goal underscored the importance of set-pieces in tight contests and highlighted her growing reputation as one of the league’s most promising talents.
Defensive Grit Seals the Win
With the lead secured, Brisbane Roar shifted their focus to maintaining their defensive shape and seeing out the game. Wellington Phoenix pushed hard for an equaliser, but the Roar’s backline, marshalled by Sekany and supported by a disciplined midfield, held firm. The introduction of 20-year-old Tanaye Morris in the 88th minute added fresh energy to the Roar’s attack, as the young forward looked to make an impact in her limited time on the pitch.
Brisbane Roar head south to face Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, 9 February, as they aim to continue their winning form on the road. For Wellington Phoenix, the search for consistency continues, but they can take heart from a spirited display that ultimately fell short.
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As the final whistle blew at Perry Park, the Brisbane faithful celebrated a hard-earned win, knowing that their team’s resilience and determination had once again shone through. With young stars like Grace Kuilamu leading the charge, the future looks bright for the Roar.
Published 03-February-2025
Match preview published 30-January-2025
Roar vs Wellington Phoenix: Brisbane Look to End Losing Streak, Reignite Title Push
Brisbane Roar return to Perry Park this Sunday 2 February, desperate to halt a worrying slump as they host Wellington Phoenix in a pivotal A-League Women’s clash. Roar vs Wellington Phoenix kicks off 7:00 p.m. at Perry Park.
After three consecutive defeats, the match presents a crucial opportunity for redemption on multiple fronts, with Brisbane slipping to fourth place and now facing mounting pressure to secure their finals spot.
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Stoppage Time Loss at Perth
The latest setback came in dramatic fashion at Perth’s Sam Kerr Football Centre, where a stoppage-time free kick from Ella Abdul-Massih sealed a 3-2 victory for Glory. The defeat was especially painful, as Brisbane twice took the lead—first through Tameka Yallop’s audacious back-heel, then via Grace Kuilamu’s clinical finish.
Brisbane’s woes are compounded by the suspension of defender Holly McQueen, who was sent off in Perth, forcing a defensive reshuffle against a Phoenix side that has troubled them this season. Wellington already defeated the Roar earlier in the campaign, making them a particularly tricky opponent at a time when Brisbane desperately need a win.
Roar vs Wellington Phoenix
Brisbane’s early-season dominance was nearly unchallenged—except by Wellington, who handed them their only defeat in a seven-game surge that saw the Roar accumulate 18 points and establish themselves as genuine title contenders. That strong run propelled them to the top of the table, but their recent slump has seen them surrender their leadership position and drop to fourth, with Central Coast Mariners closing in fast and threatening their place in the finals.
Amid the struggles, bright spots remain—young striker Grace Kuilamu is proving her worth, finding the back of the net in Perth, while captain Tameka Yallop’s class shone through as she matched Sam Kerr’s 70-goal milestone in A-League Women’s history.
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Sunday’s showdown against sixth-placed Phoenix isn’t just about revenge—it’s a must-win battle to keep Brisbane’s title hopes alive. Defensive stability will be key, but so too will be rediscovering the attacking sharpness that saw them rack up 25 goals in seven games earlier in the season. Win here, and they might just rediscover the magic of their early-season form.