It was a night shaped by defensive discipline and heartfelt farewells at Kayo Stadium as Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix played out a rare double stalemate. Both the men’s and women’s matches finished 0–0. As a result, fans witnessed tactical quality throughout, even though neither side found the net.
Men’s Report: The Home Fortress Holds
The Roar men extended their outstanding defensive run. They recorded a sixth straight home clean sheet this season. Although head coach Michael Valkanis watched from the stands while serving a suspension, the Brisbane backline never wavered. Lucas Herrington anchored the defence with composure in his final appearance. Meanwhile, the Phoenix arrived intent on bouncing back from a heavy midweek defeat. Consequently, they adopted a compact mid-block that limited Brisbane’s attacking rhythm. Justin Vidic, last round’s match-winner, thought he had scored in the 32nd minute. However, officials ruled the effort offside. At the other end, Wellington threatened through Ifeanyi Eze. Even so, Dean Bouzanis stayed largely untroubled. Ultimately, Brisbane preserved their status as the league’s toughest defence to break down. The draw leaves the Brisbane Roar third on the ladder with 18 points, just two behind leaders Auckland FC.
An Emotional Exit: Lucas Herrington’s Final Bow
The tone shifted during the interval between matches. The club paused proceedings to farewell Lucas Herrington, the 18-year-old academy graduate bound for MLS side Colorado Rapids on a club-record transfer. Herrington joined the Roar at just 13 years old. Since then, he has emerged as one of the finest defenders produced by the Queensland system. “I am so grateful to the Roar for giving me the opportunity to start my professional journey,” he told the crowd. He officially joins the Rapids this month, setting a new benchmark for transfer fees in club history.
Women’s Report: Defiance in the Face of Injury
In the late kickoff, the Roar women displayed resilience to hold a high-flying Wellington side scoreless. The result carried added significance given Brisbane’s injury list. Grace Kuilamu (knee) and Zara Kruger (ankle) joined captain Tameka Yallop on the sidelines. Wellington’s defensive benchmarks remained evident throughout the match. However, Brisbane’s reshuffled midfield delivered the standout performance. They successfully neutralised Sabitra Bhandari for the full 90 minutes. While the Roar missed the chance to claim all three points, the effort offered encouragement. The draw keeps Brisbane seventh, while Wellington remains fifth as the race for the top four intensifies.
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