Reggae Girlz go head-to-head in FA Cup final
EVEN AS Jamaica’s national senior women’s team faces an uncertain future, players Khadija Shaw and Drew Spence must, today, turn their focus to the hunt for silverware as the English domestic season comes to a close.
Shaw’s Manchester City will face Spence’s Chelsea in today’s Women’s FA Cup final at 8:30 a.m. at Wembley Stadium, in the second cup final meeting this season.
Both players will be on the hunt for a domestic double to close out their respective campaigns. Spence, who will be playing her final game for Chelsea, secured back-toback league titles for her club after coming from behind to beat Manchester United 4-2 on the final day of the FA Women’s Super League season. Shaw, who will complete her first full season with Manchester City, won the first trophy of her career with their Continental Cup win over Chelsea in March.
Shaw, so far, has scored 16 goals in all competitions this year, including nine league goals, as Manchester City recovered from a slow start to finish third in the table and secure qualification for next season’s Champions League. After a four-goal performance in their win against Brighton two weeks ago, Shaw said she is pleased with the way the team managed the recovery of their season, and is excited about the opportunity to win another trophy.
DIFFICULT POSITION
“That is one of the reasons I came to City: I want to win trophies and compete at the highest level. We found ourselves in a difficult position at the beginning of the year and we knew it was going to take hard work and consistency,” Shaw stated on the club website on April 30.
“This year started off great and we kept building, sticking together. We knew it would come and it’s coming now, and we’re happy with that.”
With Spence reportedly linked to clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton next season, she is hoping to conclude her 10-year stay with Chelsea with a domestic double, having been a part of the club’s rise to one of the top clubs in Europe.
“To be where we are now as one of the best teams in Europe is just amazing, and I am so proud to be a part of it.” Spence stated on the club website on May 4.
“The amount of trophies that we have won is just a proud achievement for me.”
Spence will be hoping to leave Wembley with her fourth FA Cup winner’s medal to add to the six league titles, two Continental League Cup and Community Shield titles she has won for the club during her stay.