Viviane Asseyi is relishing the opportunity to potentially take West Ham United women’s team to the final of the Subway® Women’s League Cup.
The Hammers will make the short trip to Kingsmeadow on Wednesday night where they will go to battle with Chelsea for a spot in the final of the competition, which will take place at Derby County’s Pride Park on Saturday 15 March.
Asseyi has been pivotal in Rehanne Skinner’s side’s success in the League Cup this term, featuring in three of the four matches, and scoring four goals and providing an assist.
The France international’s five goal involvements puts her second in the competition’s scoring charts, while West Ham have notched the most goals - a stunning 15 from their four matches.
The striker came off the bench in east London as the Irons knocked out Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight, and will hope she can contribute to even more success in the cup this season, on Wednesday against Chelsea.
“I'm feeling really good, so are the team. It's not every day that you get to play a semi-final, so everyone is happy and happy to play this game,” said the No20, speaking to the London Women's Football Show on BBC Radio London.
“Reaching a final with West Ham would be great. When you play football, it's to have these sorts of moments. Of course, everyone wants to get to the final, but only one team will go, and I think it will be the team who puts the most effort in.
“I enjoy scoring goals and giving assists, it’s my job. I do my best all the time when I go on the pitch for the Club, for my teammates, for myself, for all the fans who are watching. Of course, it's not easy to score goals in this league, in this cup, but I really enjoy it when I do it.
“I play football to play in these games and to play against this kind of team. When you face the best players, you have to give your best and just enjoy the moment.”
Asseyi is no stranger to scoring against Chelsea in a cup competition, having given West Ham the lead at Kingsmeadow in January 2024 in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round. Unfortunately, the women’s team bowed out in extra-time that afternoon, but the striker has fond memories of the goal, and will hope to go one step further on Wednesday night.
“My memory [of the goal] is the reaction of my teammates, because everyone was really happy,” said Asseyi. “Even though we lost, it was a really good feeling because I'm a striker. What I like the most to do in football is to score for my teammates, and they were all so happy.
“Chelsea, for me, are the best team at the moment. It will be difficult because they have really good players everywhere, in every position. But it's a semi-final, everything can happen. You have to believe in yourself, you have to give everything, just take your chance and see what happens.
“I always say, 'it's just football'. Enjoy your time on the pitch and take your chance. Give everything. It doesn't matter what happens at the end, but you do everything [you can to win]. When you put in a lot of effort, you work hard, something beautiful can happen.”
