Perth Glory coach Alex Epakis is confident Lisa De Vanna has avoided injury despite the veteran hobbling off during the club's remarkable 2-1 A-League Women victory over Brisbane Roar.
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De Vanna was lively in the first half of Saturday night's match at Macedonia Park, but she pulled up short from a sprint in the 55th minute and headed straight to the change rooms for treatment on a hamstring.
However, De Vanna brushed off the severity of the injury after the match, and Glory are hopeful she will be able to play next week.
"That's just Lisa being Lisa," Epakis said.
"We knew at halftime she had about five or 10 minutes left in her, and she's fine. She's walking around now. That (hobble) is her normal walk."
The Roar were on track for victory courtesy of Anna Margraf's first-half strike, but they conceded two goals in the space of two minutes at the death to fall to a heartbreaking defeat.
Glory substitute Susan Phonsongkham equalised in the 88th minute, before Roar goalkeeper Georgina Worth let a back pass slip past her two minutes later to gift Perth the win.
Worth couldn't believe it as the rolling ball slid by her foot and into the back of the net for an own goal.
Brisbane controlled proceedings in the first half, unleashing nine shots to one and enjoying 58 per cent possession.
But De Vanna, who considered walking away from soccer earlier this year, was a constant threat whenever the ball came her way.
The 37-year-old's pace and deft touch worried Brisbane, and she produced some party tricks in the 17th minute to fool three defenders and set up a scoring chance.
In the 24th minute, De Vanna fired a floating shot that grazed the crossbar.
Despite De Vanna's efforts, it was the Roar who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Margraf turned in a sharp cross from teammate Shea Connors.
De Vanna's exit in the 55th minute dampened the home side's spirits, but Glory perked up in the final 10 minutes of the match and produced a remarkable one-two punch to snatch victory.
Glory recorded just a single point on the way to collecting the wooden spoon last season, and they have already surpassed that tally after one round.
"That is vintage Lisa De Vanna," Epakis said of the former Matilda's performance after the match.
"This meant something to her tonight for a number of reasons. She's possessed, she's motivated, and I'm just so happy to have her."
Australian Associated Press
