Chelsea’s Wieke Kaptein is determined to reach another Women’s FA Cup final this year, and while she knows Manchester City will provide tough opposition, she knows we will give ourselves the best opportunity to retain the trophy by sticking together.
The Blues have faced Man City three times already this season, recording a 2-1 win on the opening day of the Women’s Super League season and a 1-0 victory away from home in the Women’s League Cup semi-final, before they beat us at the Etihad Stadium in the reverse league fixture.
Kaptein scored our only goal of the game in the League Cup semi-final with a header away at the Joie Stadium, a hard-fought victory on the way to retaining that trophy back in March.
‘They're going to be up for it 100 per cent, and they want to reach the final as much as we do,’ said the Dutch international. ‘Especially this year, they have so much quality on the pitch and on the bench. It's going to be a tough game. But I always think, if we focus just on ourselves, on what we can do and show the fans what we can do, I think we have a good chance.
‘It's going to be a really interesting game. Of course, you play a lot of times against good clubs when you are reaching finals or semi-finals, so we’ve faced them a few times now, and they won against us, and we won against them.’
We will play a Women’s FA Cup match at Stamford Bridge for the first time on Sunday, and it is the spirit of everyone pulling together that Kaptein is looking forward to the most.
That includes our supporters, who she says can make a real difference to the outcome, and she is focused on putting on a display of quality for those inside the ground.
‘For me, I think the most important thing is being a team,’ she continued. ‘If you stick together in these kinds of games, fight for each other, and play good football, then you have a better chance.
‘I think the fans can do a lot, of course. They always bring the atmosphere when we're playing at Stamford Bridge, so I think it's a good opportunity to get a lot of fans in the stadium and play good football in front of them.
‘I hope they shout for us, help us and give everything as the 12th player.’
With so many happy memories of winning the FA Cup last season, it’s unsurprising that Kaptein wants to return to Wembley Stadium once more this season.
The 20-year-old came on in the 75th minute of our 3-0 triumph over Manchester United in last year's final, and provided an assist for Sandy Baltimore’s stoppage time goal..
‘It would mean a lot to get there again,’ explained Kaptein. ‘I think it's the biggest trophy in England, it's at Wembley, which is such a nice stadium, so it’s really important for us.
‘What I experienced there was so nice, and I had my parents sitting in the stands. The stadium was full, and my parents experienced something incredible. So yeah, I would like to do it again, also for them.
‘When I was walking up the steps to get the trophy with Aggie (Beever-Jones), we shared a nice moment. We realised we’re doing what we love to do, and it was so incredible to stand there and be doing things you normally see on TV.
‘Seeing all the Chelsea fans supporting us was amazing. When I came on and gave the assist to Sandy, I got goosebumps everywhere. Everyone was so happy, and it was so good.
‘When people ask me what my best experience with Chelsea is, I would say the FA Cup final.’