We have all the character in the world but that's not going to win us games.
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That was the resounding message from Canberra United coach Heather Garriock after the W-League side suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park on Thursday night.
The home side were left to rue a slow first half as Brisbane took control of the match and took an early two-goal lead.
Norwegian international Elise Thorsnes scored a late screamer in the second half to spark a Canberra comeback, leaving Garriock frustrated with her side's slow start.
"The first half killed us but from a positive note I think the second half showed a lot of character to come back into the game," Garriock said.
"We have all the character in the world but that doesn't get us the three points.
"The disappointing thing is we didn't come away with the result. I thought we could have nicked it and at least got a draw, which I thought would have been fair, but in saying that, Brisbane hung on.
"They hung on in terms of slowing play down and players going down. We've seen that in international football so we need to be streetwise. I didn't expect anything less than from them."
Brisbane broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when a chip from Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop hit the crossbar and bounced into goal.
Forward Hayley Raso doubled the Roar's lead in the 41st minute after she latched onto a long ball from goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The Matildas star headed the ball past oncoming goalkeeper Sham Khamis and it rolled into the open goal with ease.
Two near misses by Olivia Price and Elise Thorsnes in the second half sparked a late resurgence by the hosts as they attempted to salvage a draw.
The intensified attacking pressure was all Canberra needed to fight their way back into the game as Thorsnes beat Polkinghorne and struck a screamer into the top corner to score in the 66th minute.
"She scored a great goal, she's a great player," Garriock said.
"We have her for another five games but I think it's just important we come together after this game.
"Nothing is worse than a loss but we'll rise to the occasion [against Perth Glory] next week."
Nikola Orgill launched a ball into the penalty area for Leena Khamis to head the ball towards the goal but Arnold pulled off a spectacular save to deny the hosts an equaliser.
It's experience. They were winding down the clock but they were doing that the whole game. It's the officiating that needs to hurry up.
- Canberra coach Heather Garriock on Brisbane's time-wasting
The volatile crowd of 1185 fans stood in unison while players sank to their knees in frustration in extra-time as Brisbane continuously wound down the clock with dives, slow ball collection and time-wasting plays to maintain their lead.
Gorry and Pickett repeatedly held the ball in the bottom right corner, tapping the ball between each other rather than sending the ball to the midfield.
"I would have done the same if I was them," Garriock said.
"It's experience. They were winding down the clock but they were doing that the whole game. It's the officiating that needs to hurry up."
BRISBANE ROAR 2 (Yallop 16m, Raso 41m) bt CANBERRA UNITED 1 (Thorsnes 66m).