Canberra United have opened the 2024/25 Ninja A-League Women’s campaign with a win at home, courtesy of a Maja Markovski brace and a stunning volley from Mary Stanic-Floody.
Brisbane seemed to control much of the ball early on in the match, however failed to properly breakdown a strong Canberra defence, expertly marshalled by Sally James.
Buoyed by the outstanding defensive work, the Canberra attack came to life 15 minutes in to take the lead. A first time through ball from Emma Robers set Michelle Heyman through on goal, with her shot pushed away by the Brisbane keeper. That ball fell to Maja Markovski who smashed the ball home to open the scoring.
The visitors continued to push for a goal but excellent defensive blocks from the unfamiliar centre back pairing of Alex McKenzie and Hayley Taylor-Young kept them at bay.
Just past the half hour mark and Mary Stanic-Floody doubled the lead for Canberra. Receiving the ball off of an attempted clearance, Stanic-Floody connected perfectly with the ball for a first time volley straight into the back of the net.
Brisbane started strongly in the second half, and pulled one back through Evdokia Popadinova inside the first five minutes of the half.
Aideen Keane was presented with a golden opportunity minutes later, expertly losing her defender in the box before sending her shot just over the goal. It mattered little as Markovski put Canberra back out to a two-goal lead.
A bit of a scramble in the box saw the ball end up with Markovski, who prodded home for her second of the afternoon.
Brisbane would throw everything at Canberra, in search of two goals to share the points. Leia Varley had a chance to pull one back just past the hour mark, but a sensational block from Michelle Heyman kept the Roar out.
A late free-kick from Deborah De La Harpe pulled one back for the visitors but it counted for little as Canberra held on for the win.
A trip across the ditch is up next for Canberra, taking on Wellington Phoenix at Porirua Park on Sunday 10 November.
