Viviane Asseyi can’t wait to get stuck into the action Down Under after touching down in Western Australia with her West Ham United women’s team teammates.
The Hammers have completed the long journey to the other side of the world ready for a ten-day tour that will see them compete in the inaugural Perth International Football Cup, alongside fellow Barclays WSL sides Manchester City and Leicester City, as well as French Division 1 Féminine outfit Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG, who finished as runners-up in their domestic league last season, are up first for the Irons at HBF Park on Thursday 29 August (6.15pm AWST). The winners will take on either Man City or Leicester in the final, also at HBF Park, on Sunday 1 September, with the two losers meeting at the same venue in a third-place play-off.
While a number of Rehanne Skinner’s players are visiting Australia for the first time, there is a sense of familiarity for Asseyi, who was part of the France squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that was hosted both there and in New Zealand.
Now back in the country on Club duty, she is itching to get on the grass and build on the good pre-season work the team have already put in at Chadwell Heath.
“I’m really happy to be back in Australia,” said the 30-year-old, who signed a new contract with West Ham in June, after netting seven goals in 26 appearances across all competitions during 2023/24.
“I have a lot of good memories from the World Cup last summer. Australia put on a really good show, so it’s exciting to be able to be here again, but this time with my West Ham teammates.
“I think the trip is going to be very beneficial. I’ve enjoyed pre-season so far, because I just love playing and being on the pitch, and now I think it will be good for us to get out and play against some really strong teams.
“We’ll work hard every day, and that work will go into the games we have over here. We want to go into the matches here with lots of energy, and we’ll make sure that we give them our best.”
While manager Skinner and her players are ultimately focused on maximising preparations for their WSL season opener away at Manchester United on 21 September, Asseyi believes the Perth trip will yield a range of positives both on and off the pitch.
A chance for the group to spend time together away from east London will serve as a valuable bonding exercise, and the Hammers’ No20 is also excited to meet some of West Ham’s international fans throughout the tour.
Asseyi added: “Different players have been away in the early part of pre-season, so it’s good we’re going to be together over here now. We’re here for the football, but it’s going to be nice to share these moments and memories together, and we’re going to enjoy it.
“It’s going to be great to meet lots of the fans over here. Our fans in England are always really good at pushing us, and I’m looking forward to catching up with some of our Australian supporters at the planned events and at the games. We’re going to do as well as we can on the pitch for them, and for everyone back home.”
Tickets for West Ham’s games against PSG and either Manchester City or Leicester City are available HERE. We will be providing regular updates from Perth during the tour here on www.whufc.com, and on the Club’s official app.
