Riko Ueki has stressed how much West Ham United women’s team want to make the fans happy with three points on Sunday against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Hammers are back in Barclays Women’s Super League action after an eleven-day period without a game and return with the visit of Dario Vidošić’s fifth-placed side at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Despite their league position, the Seagulls haven’t tasted victory in the WSL since November when the Hammers lost 3-2 at the Amex Stadium after a Katrina Gorry brace - her first goals for the Club - pulled Rehanne Skinner’s side back from two goals down.
Striker Ueki, who has started every league match for West Ham this term, recognised how well her side fought back that afternoon on the south coast, and hopes they can use it as motivation to pick up three points before the international break in east London on Sunday.
“Of course we want to win,” said the 25-year-old. “The last time we played them we lost. We scored two good goals but unfortunately lost, so we want to go out and win at the weekend.
“The league is very tight and we’re motivated to win because we know we can move up the table with a victory.
“We had a lot of games recently, which meant we were quite tired. It’s good that we can be fresh going into this game and everyone has a good energy, and we’re in high spirits.
“I’m excited to be back with the fans. We want to make the supporters happy and if we win, they’re smiling, and we want to see that on Sunday.
“I love the atmosphere after the games that we’ve won, when everyone is happy - that’s why we play football.”
While she has been ever present for the Hammers, Ueki has played alongside different combinations of attackers this season. More recently, Skinner has opted to deploy Shekiera Martinez, Viviane Asseyi and Seraina Piubel up front with the Japan international, and Ueki is enjoying combining with the trio.
“I love playing with the other attackers,” she said. “Sheki [Martinez] is so strong, Seraina [Piubel] has great shooting and Viv [Asseyi] is also strong, and has great technique. We have a lot of options up front, which is really nice.
“My favourite position is playing as a nine, but I can also play as a winger or a ten, as we have a lot of attackers. I just love playing!”
