Redemption at Redcliffe: Roar and Phoenix Clash in Crucial Doubleheader
January 3, 2026
The holiday dust has barely settled, but the intensity is ramping up at Kayo Stadium as the Brisbane Roar prepares for its first home stand of 2026. Coming off a dramatic New Year’s Eve double-header against the Central Coast Mariners—which saw the men secure a gritty 2-1 win and the women fall in a 3-2 thriller—both Roar squads have plenty to prove this Saturday.
Men’s Preview: A Chance for the Top Spot
Michael Valkanis’ men’s squad is currently sitting in third place, just two points shy of the top of the ladder. A victory tonight could potentially see them leapfrog the competition into first place. They face a Wellington Phoenix side that is currently reeling in 10th place after a humbling 5-1 loss to Melbourne Victory. The Phoenix will be without All Whites fullback Tim Payne, who remains sidelined with a broken collarbone, leaving a significant void in their defensive line.
While Brisbane’s defense has been a fortress this season, they will be led from the sidelines by an assistant today, as Valkanis serves a suspension following his late-game cautions on Wednesday. All eyes will be on Justin Vidic, whose 92nd-minute header secured the points earlier this week, to see if he can maintain his clinical form against a vulnerable Phoenix backline.
Women’s Preview: Defensive Fortress vs. Rising Stars
The late kickoff features a fascinating clash of styles. The Wellington Phoenix women have become the league’s “defensive benchmarks,” conceding only four goals across seven matches to sit comfortably in fourth place. They are led by captain C J Bott, though she remains a gameday decision after being forced off during their Tuesday night win over Western Sydney.
The Roar women face a tougher road, confirming that both Grace Kuilamu and Zara Kruger will miss this clash after picking up knee and ankle injuries respectively against the Mariners. Despite these setbacks, the home side remains dangerous, particularly with Sharn Freier finding her scoring touch. They will need to be tactically perfect to break down a Phoenix side that recently dismantled Sydney FC 7-0 and the Wanderers 3-0.
Matchday Timeline & Details
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to soak up the atmosphere and participate in the special presentations scheduled for the afternoon.