By Billie Eder
The last time Sydney FC met Western United they dominated possession, had four times as many shots on target, and were more accurate in both passing and shooting. But still they lost.
When the sides meet again on Sunday in the women’s A-League grand final at CommBank Stadium, Matildas and Sydney forward Cortnee Vine is banking on turning that dominance into goals, and silverware.
Sydney FC’s Cortnee Vine and Western United’s Angela Beard contest the ball in the semi-final earlier this month.Credit: Getty
“They’re never good games to walk away from, but unfortunately sometimes that’s just football and sport in general. You can be a very dominant team, but if you don’t put away any of your chances, you’re going to lose,” Vine said.
“And that’s the thing, you’ve got to give Western the respect. They get one chance, they finish, and that’s a very big skill. So, I don’t like those games, but unfortunately, they do happen.
“There wasn’t much to fault other than putting the ball in the back of the net. So, I think that’s something we have been working on is trying to finish. And obviously, as a striker, I take that with myself and I need to be better at finishing.”
After losing to United, Sydney went on to beat Melbourne Victory in a tense preliminary final that saw American-born Madison Haley score the team’s only goal in the 89th minute of the game.
Charlotte Mclean (right) with Princess Ibini after last season’s A-League Women grand final, which Sydney FC lost to Melbourne Victory.Credit: Getty
“Madison Haley is seriously a cheat code. We say that about her all the time at training. I’ve never seen a nine [striker] like her. I think she’s got a big future ahead of her.”
The Sky Blues have qualified for their sixth grand final in as many years. Their continuing success isn’t down to just football ability, says Vine, but also as a result of the closeness of the playing group, who are great mates on and off the field.
“I respectfully rate our team very highly. I enjoy playing with everyone, and I think what works for us is we have been the same team for three years in a row now,” Vine said. “And it’s not just that we’re friends on the field, we are friends off the field. We do a lot of things [together] away from football.”
“Before every game, we go out for dinner. It’s just something we have always done, it’s become Charlotte’s [McLean] superstition and everyone has to do it ... everyone has their set meals that they get. It’s one of my favourite things of the week.”
The team will be back at their local pub for pre-game fuelling on Saturday night, and Vine and her teammates know exactly what they need to do if they want to lift the trophy at full-time.
“We have always created chances in every grand final I have played in, it’s just about executing those chances we get, and just going out there and putting it all out there... Put it all on the table, go out there, and don’t let them [Western] bully you,” Vine said.