Canberra United have fallen to defeat on the road to the Brisbane Roar, after two second half goals from the hosts in the second half condemned the side to back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
Antoni Jagarinec was forced into making one change to the starting eleven, as Sofia Christopherson made her first start of the season, with Ava Briedis coming into the side via the bench.
It was a cagey opening from both sides as they battled for control in humid conditions. The hosts, having played 72 hours earlier, showed little signs of fatigue as they went on the attack early, but the United defence held strong to keep a pacey Roar attack at bay.
Despite having been doing the majority of the defensive work, United found themselves in front as Christopherson scored her first goal in a year.
A poor clearance from Chloe Lincoln in goals for the Roar, fell kindly to Christopherson who made no mistake with a first time finish into the back of the net to open the scoring.
Just over ten minutes later and United came agonisingly close to doubling their lead, as Jazmin Wardlow rose highest to meet a corner and was only denied her first goal in green by the woodwork.
United would be left to rue missed chances on goal, as Brisbane equalised right on 45 minutes, as Daisy Brown brought the hosts level with a simple finish.
Alex McKenzie was introduced at the break, for her fourth appearance of the season, with Jazmin Wardlow taken off after receiving a heavy knock late in the first half.
United came out firing in the second half, with a handful of chances in the early stages, but were unlucky to not find themselves back in front.
With just under half an hour left in the match, the hosts found themselves in front as Sharn Freier used her pace to get in behind the Canberra backline and slot the ball home in at the far post for the lead.
United picked up the energy after going behind, as substitutes Mary Stanic-Floody and Sienna Dale caused problems for the Roar backline late in the game.
With time against them, United fell further behind as Bente Jansen sent a low driven shot into the bottom corner, leaving United with a mountain to climb in the final minutes.
Despite throwing everything at the Roar, United could not find their way back into the match against a strong Brisbane side after a physical 90 minutes.
