A stunning denouement in which Belconnen United skipper Talia Backhouse struck twice in the final ninety seconds of extra-time secured the Blue Devils a remarkable 5-4 victory over League Champions Canberra Croatia sending them into the Grand Final where they will meet Canberra Olympic.
In a game that will be talked about for many years to come, the spectacle on display at the Riverside Stadium was some of the best football ever witnessed in the capital. Goals, talent, suspense, lead changes, a dramatic ending, all the ingredients were there for this game to go down in local history.
At Deakin Stadium during Round 19, the Blue Devils had opened the score within four minutes of kick-off. This time, they waited until the 13th minute, embarking upon a stunning passage of play that yielded three goals in the span of five minutes leaving Croatia reeling.
Keira Bobbin’s pace, following a superb assist by Sofia Palywoda, was too much for the reigning champions defence, and her precision finish left Nat Vasta no chance. Bobbin returned the favour minutes later when she found Palywoda alone at the far post. The youngster showed her impressive composure and put the ball out of Vasta’s reach.
Olivia Bomford added a third goal at the 18th minute to conclude the perfect start of her side. At Deakin, Scott Conlon had seen his team wasting opportunities. This time, any opportunity ended on the scoresheet, Bomford the latest to react, sweeping home from just inside the box.
From there, Zoran Glavinic had 70 minutes to find the solutions to turn the tide and try and snatch another extra-time, seven days after their match in the deluge against Olympic. The path to level was first helped by an unlucky bounce that landed on Talia Backhouse’s hand. Brittany Palombi did not hesitate and reduce the gap at the half hour mark from the spot kick.
Down 3-1 at half-time, the coach of Croatia changed formation and brought on Jennifer Bisset for Amy McLachlan. The choice paid dividends almost immediately, and the league leaders were only trailing by a goal after Sienna Birnie scored at the 52nd minute. ‘
The Blue Devils spent most of the second half defending, trying to prevent an equaliser. Sofia Doumos impressed in her duel with Grace Gill, Jayla Murphy showed off her skills with saves in front of Palombi and Bisset, but the team still found themselves levelled 10 minutes before full time.
Minutes after being subbed in, Shania Settin, forgotten at the far post, took advantage of Gill’s work in the box to tap the ball in the empty net and draw the teams back onto level terms
For the second time in a week, Canberra Croatia was forcing an extra time. This time, they would even strike first, thanks to Bisset, eight minutes in. The midfielder slide tackled the ball between her defender and the keeper, completing a magnificent comeback and giving her team a lead that many thought would be conclusive. Until the 119th minute that was, until the Riverside Stadium entered Backhouse time.
First it was a free-kick from 30 yards, expertly taken, that landed between Vasta’s hands and the crossbar to make it 4-4 and drag the spectre of penalties from the depths. But even that was not to be.
Two minutes later, Backhouse hit a shot from distance, that forced Vasta to concede a corner kick. Bomford from the corner had led the Blue Devils to victory in Round 19, and once again, it paid off. Backhouse, unstoppable, cut the trajectory at the near post to send the team in sky blues to heaven, to compete in their umpteenth consecutive Grand Final.
There had to be a loser, and the road ends here for Canberra Croatia, after six consecutive Grand Finals (2015 to 2020) and their title in the shortened 2021 season. It is a heart-breaking finish for Grace Gill and her troops, despite coming back from 3-0 down. The clash in Queanbeyan ended with a masterpiece from Talia Backhouse, and Belconnen United will now challenge Canberra Olympic in the Grand Final.
RESULT
Saturday 24 September
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Canberra Croatia 4 (Brittany Palombi 28’ (p), Sienna Birnie 51’, Shania Settin 79’, Jennifer Bisset 98’) Belconnen United 5 (Keira Bobbin 13’, Sofia Palywoda 16’, Olivia Bomford 18’, Talia Backhouse 119’, 120’) – after extra time