Exclusive: Sydney FC coach reveals how Cortnee Vine turned herself from a raw rookie into the Matildas’ penalty shootout hero
Exclusive: Sydney FC coach reveals how Cortnee Vine turned herself from raw rookie to Matildas penalty shootout hero
- Sydney FC was Cortnee Vine’s fourth W-League club
- Sky Blues coach Ante Juric converted her to winger
- Vine, 25, is now an x factor for the Matildas
- WATCH: ‘It All Begins’ – Episode 1 – The brand new football show from Mail Sport
Sydney FC coach Ante Juric recalls his early impressions of Matildas star Cortnee Vine – she was fast, but also very raw.
Juric, a former Socceroo, still thought Vine would be a handy asset to the Sky Blues, so he backed his instincts and handed her an A-League Women’s contract in 2020.
The rest was up to Vine.
After previous stints with Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers from 2015 to 2020, Vine had to excel in the Harbor City.
Considering she’s now playing for Australia in a World Cup – and scoring a penalty in the shoot-out victory over France – she can safely say she has.
Ante Juric remembers his first impressions of Matildas star Cortnee Vine well – she was fast, but also very raw (Vine is pictured scoring the game seal in the quarterfinal shootout victory against France)
After previous spells with Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers from 2015 to 2020, Vine found her football mojo under Ante Juric at Sydney FC
Tellingly, Juric believes Vine has only scratched the surface when it comes to her prowess.
“She played like a nine (striker) but I felt she was a winger and we needed a wide player,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“Her speed is her greatest asset, but what I liked was Cortnee’s desire to get better, especially with crossing and shooting.
“That’s why I knew she would score against France, she had that look in her eye, I’ve seen it a lot in training and on match days.”
It is also rumored that Vine, 25, is about to sign a major deal with Sydney FC to keep her on Australian shores for the 2023/24 season.
Juric remained tight-lipped when questioned about the development, stating only that he would ‘like it if she stayed’.
Juric, who played in the National Soccer League with the likes of Sydney Olympic and APIA Leichhardt before heading abroad to play in Europe and Asia, has had a lot to do with the current crop of Matildas.
A former assistant coach, he was also the technical director and was instrumental in guiding the likes of Sam Kerr, Alanna Kennedy and Caitlin Foord.
Cortnee Vine’s game has risen to such a level that she is about to sign a major deal with Sydney FC to keep her on the Australian coast
He also pointed out what needs to happen before football finally realizes its potential in Australia.
“Government funding is an integral part,” said Juric. ‘Talking is cheap, it really has to happen.
“The World Cup has been fantastic, but it always has been, it’s a global event.
“To make sure Australia stays relevant you need to invest in resources at all levels of the game.
“Go to Brazil and you see little fields pretty much everywhere you look… if you want to compete, create football hubs so that a legacy can follow.”
The kick-off between the Matildas and England in the semi-final of the World Cup is Wednesday at 8pm from Sydney’s Stadium Australia.