The Central Coast Mariners women capped off a thrilling New Year’s Eve double header with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Brisbane Roar in the Ninja A-League at ‘Our Paradise’ Polytec Stadium.
The hosts started in great fashion and made the perfect start, needing just two minutes to open the scoring when Isabella Coco Di-Sipio found the back of the net, smashing home a beautiful cross from teammate Peta Trimis.
Brisbane responded 10 minutes later after a shot from Roar player Kiera Meyers was pushed away from Mariners keeper Annalee Grove allowing Grace Kuilamu to tap in the rebound.
Brisbane suffered an injury setback midway through the first half, with goalscorer Kuilamu forced from the field with a suspected left knee injury and replaced by Zara Kruger.
The Mariners continued to push forward, with Di Sipio going close in the 37th minute from an Annabel Martin corner. A late first half change for the Mariners saw Tess Quilligan replaced by Millie Farrow.
The Mariners found their equaliser just before the break, with Annalise Rasmussen converting after a free kick from Martin to make it 2-2 at half-time.
The second half kicked off with pressure from both sides and Rasmussen struck again in the 54th minute, netting her second of the night and seventh goal of the season to seal the 3-2 win and further her push in the Golden Boot race. Despite late pressure from Brisbane, the Mariners held firm to secure all three points.
The result lifts the Mariners into third place on the ladder and provided a fantastic way to close out 2025. They now turn their attention to an away clash with Adelaide United FC this Sunday, 4 January, with kick off at 4:50pm.
