Cortnee Vine is ready to call upon her wealth of Finals experience on Saturday afternoon as Sydney FC chase a Grand Final spot at Leichhardt Oval.
The Matildas star was instrumental as the Sky Blues secured a 1-0 first leg lead over Central Coast Mariners last Sunday.
And the Sky Blues are now just one game away from securing a seventh straight Grand Final appearance when they take to the field for this 3pm kick off.
Vine believes playing regularly in the big games in recent seasons should give them the edge when the two teams clash in the second leg.
She added: “We’ve been in quite a few Semi Finals so we have quite a bit of experience.
“However, we have the experience of losing as well, so we know how it feels and we don’t want to experience that again,” Vine said.
“It’s weird going to have to play another Semi Final after we’ve just won one, as the two legs has never been done before – so it’s a bit of a funny feeling, but for us it’s just another Semi.”
READ MORE: FIVE REASONS YOU CAN’T MISS OUR SEMI FINAL
Vine has really stepped up this season and provided her best campaign in Sky Blue for goals and assists and currently leads the team for goals with 10 strikes.
With the experience of a massive home World Cup under her belt, she has been the leadership figure for her side, especially with captain Nat Tobin sidelined with her ACL injury.
But that still won’t stop her from getting butterflies in her stomach come match day.
“I feel like everyone gets nervous, I get nervous for every game, it doesn’t matter what situation it is, the nerves are still there.
“It’s about getting around those younger girls and telling them the nerves are OK.
“You gotta turn those nerves into excitement and show that on the field with confidence too,” she added.
Last time out at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney FC were within touching distance of a fourth consecutive Premiers Plate before falling to defeat to Melbourne Victory.
But this Saturday provides the perfect springboard to make up for that performance.
“The last game that we played here [Leichhardt Oval] was not how we wanted it to play out and a lot of the girls felt disappointed.
“But now it is Finals and you have to switch on. It’s a whole different game. It’s not about consistency, it’s about grit and who wants it more and going into a physical challenge harder and showing a bit more heart.
“We want to end this season on a high and to get a win at Leichhardt with a massive crowd would top that off really nicely,” Vine said.
And if it were to go to penalties, Vine revealed what role she would play in the shoot-out after scoring the most famous of spot-kicks during the FIFA Women’s World Cup against France.
“I haven’t taken a penalty since my last one [at the World Cup] but we haven’t actually spoken about it this week so that is something that we probably will do.
“I’m sure I will put my hand up if it comes to that situation and I’m sure that a lot of the leaders will do the same,” she concluded.
Grab your tickets now to ensure you don’t miss the tense and thrilling action of semi final football.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
Liberty A-League Semi Final 2nd Leg
Saturday 27th April 2024
Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt, NSW
Kick Off: 3:00pm AEST
Gates OPen: 2:00pm AEST
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
