Brisbane Roar star Kijah Stephenson has powered her side to a thrilling 3-0 win over Adelaide United in a do-or-die elimination final.
Stephenson fired in front of a bumper Spencer Park crowd on Saturday night, scoring a double in the second half to propel the Roar over the line.
The Bundaberg product broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a powerful strike before quickly finding the back net again in the 57th minute with a pure attempt on her left foot, curling in off the right post.
It was the perfect debut final for the 24-year-old which also came after missing last season due to an ACL injury.
Roar utility Aimee Medwin put through the sealer in the 83th minute with a shot tucked into the bottom left corner as Brisbane rose to their first finals win in 12 years.
Brisbane will face Wellington in the two-legged semi-final next week.
United’s season comes to an end with Theo Tsiounis’ side unable to add to their first finals win which they picked up last season.
Alongside the on-field challenge the Roar put up for the visitors, winning shots (29-5) and penalty area entries (50-15), Alex Smith’s side were also powered an energetic 4000+ sold-out crowd in Newmarket.
Earlier in the encounter, United almost took the led only to be denied by a save-of-the-season contender from Roar goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.
The Matilda dove at full stretch to knock away a top corner-bound Erin Healy header with her right hand in the 10th minute.
Healy went down in the 15th minute with a right ankle concern and returned to play with it tapped up three minutes later, but Adelaide struggled to threaten thereafter as the star forward battled with the injury throughout.
The Roar had chances to open the scoring account late in the first half, but strong saves from United goalkeeper Ilona Melegh on return to the side, kept Brisbane at bay.
Originally published as Brisbane Roar end 12-year wait for finals win after beating Adelaide United
