Sydney FC coach Ante Juric believes a team-first mentality has been the catalyst for his side’s surge to the Westfield W-League Grand Final.
The Sky Blues lost the opening three matches of the season before going on a 10-match unbeaten run to book a spot in Sunday’s decider against reigning Champions Melbourne City.
Juric, in his first season at the club, hinted that a culture shift helped bring his players closer together following a slow start to the campaign.
“I’m a big believer in working for each other first and foremost,” Juric told reporters on Saturday.
“If you don’t do that, it doesn’t matter what team sport you’re in, you won’t succeed.
“Sydney’s probably renowned maybe in the past not to work too hard for each other.
“That’s something I’ve believed in as a player, ex-player and now as a coach.
“So yes I’ve pushed for that. As an example, video clips we watch, I don’t really watch the goalscorer. I watch somebody running back 60 metres and show that. That’s what we’re about.
“It’s come good. We needed it to be honest. We had a bad start. That working for each other has brought us through that to where we are tomorrow.”
Sydney FC will be without Matildas star Caitlin Foord for the decider after the attacker underwent surgery on a foot injury during the week.
Experienced Leena Khamis or young gun Remy Siemsen is likely to lead the line in her absence.