Former champions Canberra United sent an ominous warning in their W-League season opener, notching a convincing 3-0 away victory over Brisbane Roar at AJ Kelly Park.
An 8th minute opener from USA international Lori Lindsey set the visitors on their way before the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer Michelle Heyman split a brace either side of the break.
Roar went into the match with high expectations following the off-season capture of UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Nadine Angerer, but the ‘keeper was forced to pick the ball from the back of her net inside the first ten minutes.
After Heyman struck the upright from Ashleigh Sykes’ ball inside, new signing Lindsey – one of three American imports debuting for the visitors – pounced on the rebound.
Brisbane and Matildas star Tameka Butt had the next two opportunities but it was Canberra who doubled their tally before the break through Heyman.
The centre-forward raced onto a pass behind the Roar defence shortly after a drinks break, rounded an onrushing Angerer and converted clinically.
If their first half dominance wasn’t enough, United resumed in rapid fashion to seal the result just four minutes after the restart when Heyman strode away from the home defence and finished through the legs of Brisbane’s German shotstopper.
The third was comfortably more than Canberra needed as they recorded a first-up clean sheet to go with their highly impressive performance and result.
Brisbane Roar: Angerer (gk), Alleway, Chapman, Polkinghorne, Carroll, Kellond-Knight, Gorry, Popovic, Elze, Butt, Raso.
Bench: Stewart (gk), Spence, Crummer, Norrie.
Canberra United: Williams (gk), Brown, Fletcher, Brish, Gill, Heyman, Rojahn, N. Sykes, A. Sykes, Lindsey, Ochs.
Bench: Burke (gk), Munoz, McLaughlin, Bisset.
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