From sellout crowds at the 2023 World Cup on home soil to the very first A-League All Stars Women showcase in front of more than 42,000 fans at Marvel Stadium, Cortnee Vine’s message has remained the same.
“The crowd… amazing,” Vine said after the All Stars’ 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Friday night.
“42,000 – you know, we’re a footballing nation. I’ve said it from the World Cup that we have the fans, we’ve just got to keep telling them to come.”
Vine’s reaction was matched by fellow Matildas both past and present who, after the full-time whistle blew at Marvel Stadium, took their respective moments to bask in the occasion: the first-ever A-League All Stars Women squad, taking on an English powerhouse featuring three Matildas, in front of 42,120 fans, as the second of two games on the All Stars agenda on Friday night.
MATCH REPORT: England star’s moment of class hands Arsenal slender win over A-League All Stars Women
Earlier in the evening, the A-League All Stars Men thumped Newcastle United 8-0 – but from that moment on, the night belonged to the women’s side and their commendable performance against Arsenal drew immense praise from their coach Joe Montemurro.
The All Stars boss put the result into context as he addressed the media post-game, and singled out three players in particular that impressed him both in training and on matchday.
“The ones (players) I probably didn’t know (before the squad assembled)… they’ve really shown that there’s a base developing here now with more important games. Just the volume of what they’re doing,” Montemurro said.
“You can just see that the base player is developing.
“(Kayla) Morrison has done very, very well. Alana Cerne has been fantastic. Grace Maher has been great. They’re all players that are the future, but look at where they’ve come from just playing a lot football and being exposed to a high level.
“A lot of people are looking at the league. It has to be one of the top 10 leagues in the world. It is known for giving chances and opportunities and that is the beauty of it.
“We can’t lose that. We can’t lose that chance to give players the opportunity to play 30 games or 26 games consistently at a high level.”
For the Matildas, attention quickly turns to a friendly against China PR in Adelaide next Friday night, followed by a second fixture against the Asian Football Confederation rivals at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Monday, June 3.
For Vine, it’s another chance to impress Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson – and an important one at that: the two games against China are Australia’s final games prior to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Vine says Friday night’s All Stars clash provided the perfect lead-in to the international camp as she looks to solidify her place in the squad ahead of the major tournament in July.
“It was actually the perfect lead-in,” Vine said.
“Obviously you always want a bit more tome but with a tough schedule like the Matildas have, you don’t actually get too much time, so it’s been perfect to go into an environment with quality players, and to lead-in with pretty intense training, with a great coach as well, that just steps straight into Matildas.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big camp, it’s a camp before pre-camp. You just have to prove yourself, nothing is guaranteed for me.
“I’m a bit nervous, to be honest, going into this camp but I’ve put my best foot forward and to play on a stage like this, they get to view me again, keep getting to look at me, that’s what I want.
“I’ve been in those positions for the last few weeks which is great but I’m looking forward to getting in, showing what I can do and hopefully get part of the Olympics squad.”
