Sydney FC’s 3-1 win over Perth Glory on Saturday evening was more than just three points in the bank – it was a statement to the rest of the Liberty A-League.
After a slow start to their campaign, the reigning champions have clicked into gear in recent weeks as a new generation of young stars have emerged to star for Ante Juric.
On this occasion, there was another goal for 16-year-old Maddie Caspers, plus a contender for assist of the season from 17-year-old Indiana Dos Santos, but the star of the show was Matildas star Cortnee Vine who walked away with two goals and an assist.
Make no mistake, this was a seriously dominant performance from the Sky Blues.
Across the 90 minutes, they took 29 shots to the Glory’s six, including 13 on target, while registering nine corners to the visitors’ one.
“Those stats are absolutely crazy,” Liberty A-League legend Cath Cannuli said on Paramount+ and 10 Play.
“The amount of shots that Sydney FC had and the way they entered into the final third has been absolutely superb. It should have been more than three, that’s for sure.”
Paramount+ commentator Russ Gibbs added: “The Sky Blues haven’t had it all their own way this season but everybody else take note: They are coming for you.”
Sydney FC fans will be salivating at the promise shown by their brigade of teenage stars, but perhaps the most pleasing sight for the neutral was the devastating form of Vine, who has not been quite her dominant self so far this season after returning from a career-defining World Cup where she became a household name almost overnight.
Injuries have taken their toll on the 25-year-old this term, leading to her being left out of the most recent Matildas squad.
However, Vine appears to have roared back into form at an opportune moment, as Tony Gustavsson prepares to name his squad for two crucial Olympic playoffs against Uzbekistan later this month, where Australia can book their spot at the 2024 Games in Paris.
The winger now has five goals and three assists in 10 Liberty A-League appearances this term, which will only aid her case for selection in a Matildas attack that is missing the injured Sam Kerr, who has suffered an ACL injury.
“It’s just good to see Cortnee back on the scoresheet and loving her football again,” Cannuli said. “Being injury-free and seeing her just shine for Sydney FC at the moment.”
Watch Dos Santos’ crazy assist for Vine in the video below
Vine, alongside the likes of Kirsty Fenton, Princess Ibini and Charlotte McLean, form the experienced core in a Sydney side brimming with rising talents. This season, they boast the youngest average starting age in the Liberty A-League.
Injuries to the likes of Shea Connors, Fiona Worts and Nat Tobin have exacerbated that, but their youthful replacements have taken their opportunities with both hands.
Caspers, only 16 years old, has scored in each of her last three appearances, while Dos Santos’ extraordinary assist for Vine’s second of the match was genuinely world class and would not long out of place on the most seasoned player’s highlights reel – she too is just 17.
The future looks bright for Sydney FC, who are up to third in the table, only three points behind leaders Melbourne City (who have a game in hand, but perhaps more excitingly… the future is now.
