Pre-season motivation comes in many forms for athletes. Some meditate, some take time away, but for Sydney FC’s Sarah Hunter, it came in the form of reflecting on emotions in the riveting Liberty A-League Women’s semi-final against Melbourne City.
Ahead of the re-match this weekend, Hunter reflected on a match that she will never forget, after scoring her first Sydney FC goal.
“I have photos up in my room from that game,” Hunter exclaimed as she drove home from her part time work with team-mate Charlie Rule alongside.
“At the start of the season I was like, right, how am I going to get inspiration for the season, so I printed three photos from that game specifically and stuck them on my wall,” Hunter added.
“I still get goose-bumps thinking about it. So insane,” said Charlie Rule from the passenger seat.
“That doesn’t happen every game so you definitely remember those games and I think I will always come back to that game,” the defender claimed.
This weekend, both teams meet for the first time since those 120 minutes where a Cortnee Vine super sub inspired a complete turn-around for the Sky Blues as they trailed 2-0 with less than 20 minutes on the clock.
“We all say it is the best game we’ve ever been a part of.
“I knew that once we scored that second goal we were winning it and I know that collectively we all felt the same,” Hunter said.
Cote Rojas scored in stoppage time to level the match with Melbourne City down an extra player and the emotions at that time still are strong for the reminiscing girls.
“I remember Charlie and I celebrating when Cote scored that goal yelling at each other like ‘OH MY GOD’ and I specifically remember Charlie saying to me ‘This isn’t real!’”
Sydney FC return to Allianz Stadium for this Saturday’s clash against Melbourne City and Hunter can’t wait to get back onto the Moore Park surface where she has enjoyed recent success.
“Allianz gives good vibes for us. We have been playing really well there and I’m really excited for this match.
“We haven’t played them [City] yet this season and they have been doing quite well so it’ll be great if we can get a result and show how good we really are,” Sydney’s number six said.
After finding the net for her first goal for the club in the previous meeting, the Northern Beaches girl just can’t wait to go again.
“Everyone is feeling good, the body is feeling fresh and everyone is excited.”
And maybe this time, she will score another header against the Victorians.
“It was always a joke that I am one of the smallest players on the park and I scored but we will definitely take it. Charlie missed the header and I was there. Across the keeper. Into the far post!”
Catch Sarah Hunter and Charlie Rule in action this Saturday from 2:20pm.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Melbourne City
Liberty A-League Round 13
Saturday 4th February 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick Off: 2:20pm AEDT
Gates Open: 2:00pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+, 10Play & DubZone through Facebook and YouTube
Tickets: Click Here
