Matildas shootout hero Cortnee Vine set to stick with Sydney FC in A-League Women on marquee contract

Matildas shootout hero Cortnee Vine is expected to reject advances to make the move to Europe and remain on Australian shores with Sydney FC.Fresh from scoring the winning penalty that sent the Matildas through to the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals, Vine has been offered a one-year contract on marquee player terms to stay with the A-League Women champions.

The rapid winger is one of the few players in Tony Gustavsson’s squad who still plies her trade in the A-League Women competition and was viewed as a potential target for European clubs even before the tournament as a result of her dazzling performances domestically.

Vine has been part of Sydney’s recent success under Ante Juric, finishing top of the table in three straight seasons and winning the grand final in April this year.

The Queenslander has been a key pillar of Sydney’s success and has watched teammates and aspiring Matildas internationals Mackenzie Hawkesby, Charlie Rule and Sarah Hunter all leave for Europe.

But the 25-year-old will stay in Australia over the next 12 months after becoming the toast of the nation following the Matildas’ penalty shootout victory.

Sydney are hoping her presence will lead to an increase in female memberships, with the club aiming to crack four figures for the first time in their history.

Vine’s decision to stick in the A-League goes against common wisdom though her age lends itself to waiting one more year for the right overseas opportunity.

“She’s 25 years old, she only debuted for Australia last year, she plays in the A-League Women for Sydney FC,” 7NEWS presenter Mel McLaughlin said on Sunrise on Monday morning.

“You’d expect – well, all the talk is she’s one of the players who will be heading to Europe first thing really (after the Women’s World Cup). A lot of people are scrambling for herself, Clare Hunt, these kinds of players.”

Hunt has been a rock in defence for the Matildas after only making her international debut in February.

Meanwhile, Vine began the Women’s World Cup in the Matildas’ starting line-up and refused to slump her head when she was dropped to the bench after the second group game.

“I think I handled it very well,” she said prior to the quarter-final against France.

“I said that I’m just happy to do anything I can for the team. It’s up to Tony who he chooses – it’s a bit of an uncontrollable for me.

“There’s so many good players in our squad, including the other girls that maybe haven’t even seen the field yet.

We just have such a solid squad that I know he’s going to pick the 11 that he thinks is best for this game and I don’t take it personally. He has chats with us, it all is good.

“It’s just about taking a different role, going on the bench – you just need to be a bit more positive and really bring the encouragement from the bench and make sure they can hear from the sideline.”

SOURCE: 7NEWS