Melbourne City FC has booked a spot in the 2015-16 Westfield W-League Grand Final, defeating Brisbane Roar 5-4 on penalties at AAMI Park.
Neither side could break the deadlock after 120 minutes of football as Melbourne City FC co-captain Lisa De Vanna buried the final spot kick in front of almost 5,000 people.
Despite a scoreless 120 minutes, City conjured a number of opportunities throughout the first half.
Joe Montemurro’s front third laid siege to Brisbane’s goal but could not find a breakthrough.
Roar ‘keeper Haley Kopmeyer was in fantastic form once again for the visitors, executing a number fantastic saves in the first half – most notable a sensational effort to tip Steph Catley’s top-corner-bound strike over the bar.
City co-captain Jess Fishlock was however was forced off the ground mid-way through the first half after sustaining an injury.
Upon the restart of play, De Vanna thought she had handed her side the lead but was however deemed to be offside by the assistant’s flag after being played through on goal by Catley.
As the game progressed, Brisbane conjured more chances.
Sofie Persson, Emily Gielnik and Amy Chapman all threatened Brianna Davey’s frame with some close opportunities while – at the other end – Kopmeyer produced a marvelous double save to maintain a 0-0 score line, sending the game into added time.
After being held scoreless for the first time in the 2015-16 season, City commenced the restart on the front foot.
Beattie Goad provided a nervous moment for Kopmeyer as the teenager’s snapshot edged just wide of the upright and the scrambling custodian.
Kopmeyer continued her sensational performance with another fantastic double save right on the stroke of the half time in the added 30 minutes.
De Vanna and Little both peppered Roar’s goal in the final 15 minutes at AAMI Park, with the ‘keeper standing tall once again in a remarkable performance.
With stoppage time looming, Amy Jackson curled her attempt towards the top corner, only to be denied by Kopmeyer’s hand, tipping the strike around her frame and forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
With the scores locked at 4-4 in the penalty shootout, Roar’s Angela Beard struck the crossbar, leaving De Vanna to fire home the fifth and final spot-kick to send City into next week’s Grand Final.
Joe Montemurro’s side will host Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Sunday 31 January.
Melbourne City FC 0 – (5 – Beattie, Alleway, Little, Catley, De Vanna)
Brisbane Roar 0 – (4 – Polkinghonrne, Butt, Gielnik, Chapman)
Attendance: 4, 941
Melbourne City FC XI: 1. Brianna Davey (gk), 4. Jennifer Beattie, 5. Laura Alleway, 6. Aivi Luik, 7. Steph Catley, 8. Kim Little, 9. Larissa Crummer, 10. Jess Fishlock (11. Lisa De Vanna 32’), 15. Amy Jackson, 16. Beattie Goad, 17. Marianna Tabain.
Unused Substitutes: 20. Trudy Burke (gk), 3. Alex Chidiac, 14, Melina Ayres, 18. Anisa Guajardo.
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Brisbane Roar XI: 1. Haley Kopmeyer (gk), 3. Amy Chapman, 4. Clare Polkinghorne (c), 6. Angela Beard, 8. Ayesha Norrie, 12. Alisha Foote (18. Maili Forbes 69’), 13. Tameka Butt, 14. Summer O’Brien, 15. Ruth Blackburn, 17. Emily Gielnik, 19. Sofie Persson (7. Gabrille Marzano 75’).
Unused Substitutes: 20. Carrie Simpson (gk), 9. Cortnee Vine, 16. Ashley Spina
Yellow Cards: Butt (50’), O’Brien (52’).
Red Cards: None.
