Cortnee Vine has returned from Matildas camp and is feeling refreshed and ready for the two legged semi ahead of her side.
Sydney FC Women are on the brink of yet another trophy and can win back to back championships for the first time in their history but before they can get to the Grand Final, they need to navigate the Central Coast Mariners in the two leg semi final.
In the back end of the campaign, Cortnee Vine has been an absolute star for Ante Juric’s Sky Blues and leads the team with goal contributions and she isn’t thinking of stopping there as we come into the finals series.
“I feel refreshed and ready for what this year is going to bring.
“At the start of the season I was a bit injured and I feel like I’ve hit a better stride now, but I’m not where I want to be,” Vine said.
“I can always improve and be better and I am hoping to bring that for the finals series and hopefully score and assist more goals.”
Vine played around 30 minutes against Mexico for the Matildas a week ago and she is feeling like her usual self again which is a great plus for her, Sydney FC and the national team.
For Vine, her life has drastically changed since scoring the winning penalty in the FIFA Womens World Cup as now she is doing plenty on the field and busy off it as well.
It can be a bit much for someone to be thrust into the limelight but after taking time to focus on herself, she is raring to go for this final push of the Liberty A-League season.
“You get some amazing opportunities being in the position I am in. People know who I am now and are watching,” she said.
“I’m still trying to navigate that side of it but I think it’s just having fun with it. Having friends that really support you and a coach that lets you be creative is the type of environment I thrive in.”
“Being around people that I see as my mates makes the football fun and makes me feel carefree and not put so much pressure on myself.”
Having fallen short of the premiership, the Sky Blues need to put that disappointment behind them with a two legged semi final against the Central Coast Mariners starting this weekend.
They will head up to Gosford on Sunday afternoon for the first leg before returning to Leichhardt Oval the following Saturday for the all important second leg where the winner will be decided on aggregate score.
With so much on the line, the league positions do not matter anymore and form goes out the window as the winger knows all too well.
“Anyone can win, it doesn’t matter how good you’ve been all season, it’s just a different game and I think it comes down to who wants it more and who’s going to go into those tackles harder and fight a bit more,” Vine said.
“It’s a home and away finals series and I’ve never done a finals series like this but I think the team is shaping up well.
“It’s focus time and he [Ante] doesn’t want us to drop off now, he wants us to keep going.”
Ante Juric will take his side up the M1 to take on the Mariners in the first leg on Sunday before the all important second leg at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday 27th April.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Liberty A-League Semi Final First Leg
Sunday 21st April
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, NSW
Kick Off: 5:45pm AEST
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
Liberty A-League Semi Final Second Leg
Saturday 27th April
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 3pm AEST
Gates Open: 2pm AEST
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
