Southampton goalkeeper Kayla Rendell says that Thursday’s FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup fixture against Arsenal is a great opportunity for the team to showcase themselves.
The Saints are top of their group after two matches while they are also pushing for promotion in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
A crowd of around 10,000 is expected at St Mary’s Stadium and goalkeeper Rendell says that the occasion provides Southampton with a great opportunity to showcase themselves.
“Playing a big team at St Mary’s will attract a big crowd but it’s an opportunity for us to showcase what we are all about,” Rendell said.
“Hopefully, the fans that come down will enjoy it and want to come back to more games and we can get bigger crowds throughout the rest of the season.”
Arsenal are the current FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup holders and will go into the match as the favourites. Rendell says that Southampton must believe that they can match their top tier opponents and enjoy the occasion.
She said “We’ve got to go into it believing that we can compete, that’s the main thing, competing against them.
“They’re an unreal opposition and even if they’re not starting their strongest XI, they’re going to have power on the bench to bring on just like they did against Leicester recently.
“We’ve got to go into it open minded. We are the underdogs at the end of the day, so the pressure is on them. We need to take the pressure off ourselves, enjoy the occasion and really showcase what we are all about.”
Ahead of what will be a special night under the lights against Arsenal, Rendell has encouraged the Southampton fans to get down to St Mary’s to support the team. Given the exciting brand of attacking football played by The Saints this season, new fans certainly won’t go home disappointed.
“Please come down to St Mary’s because even if you haven’t come before, you’ll see what an exciting team we are,” Rendell said. “Having Arsenal there makes it a big occasion, so please come down and support us.
“We enjoy hearing the fans’ voices week in, week out and having a bigger support can only help us on our journey.”
Southampton’s FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup fixture against Arsenal kicks-off at 6.30pm on Thursday evening. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.