Dunia Susi has been on the winning and losing side in an FA Women’s Cup semi-final – and she says preparation is the determining factor between success and failure.
The Notts County midfielder scored twice in the Lady Pies’ 5-1 win over Aston Villa to set up a last-four tie against Everton.
It will be her third appearance at this stage of the competition, having played for Chelsea in 2012 and for County last year.
Everton v Notts County
The FA Women's Cup
Semi-Final
2pm, Sunday 3 May
Goodison Park
Click here for tickets - £5 adults, £2 children
Susi scored for the Blues as they defeated perennial winners Arsenal 2-0 at Griffin Park, but lost out to Everton 12 months ago.
And she says doing your homework is vital if you are to reach The Final.
The 27-year-old utility player said: “When we beat Arsenal we were the underdogs but we were so well prepared for the game.
“We knew that if everyone did their jobs then we could get the win and that’s exactly what happened.
“That’s something we need to take on board here. We have to be on our game from the off and be ready to give 100 per cent.”
Nikita Parris’s first-half brace helped the Toffees edge Notts County 2-1 in last year’s semi-final.
Rick Passmoor’s side earned a modicum of revenge by beating Everton 2-0 in September to condemn the Blues to relegation to FA WSL 2 – and save themselves in the process.
But Susi is still haunted by the Cup defeat and wants to make up for it on Sunday at Goodison Park.
She said: “Everton are a very well organised team. They have got a great history in women’s football and I know it will be a tough game for us.
“They knocked us out of this semi-final last year and I was absolutely gutted about that so hopefully we can make amends.
“This is a game that we have been looking forward to.”
Notts County are fifth in FA WSL 1
Both clubs are just one win away from an appearance at Wembley, after The FA announced The Final will be staged under the arch for the first time, on Saturday 1 August.
And Susi said that is a huge incentive for players from all four semi-finalists.
She added: “Wembley is one of the best stadiums in the world.
“I’d be lying if I said it isn’t at the back of my mind and I think every other player would feel the same.
“The Final is a game everyone wants to play in and with it being at Wembley just adds to it.
“But the most important game is this one. We need to focus on Everton first, get over that hurdle and then hopefully we can look forward to The Final at Wembley.”
Chelsea take on Manchester City in the second semi-final.
Tickets for both semi-finals are priced £5 for adults and £2 for children and are on sale now.
Season ticket holders of all four semi-finalists, for both their men’s and women’s teams, will receive free entry to their respective matches. Notts County season ticket holders will need to contact the club to apply for their ticket.
Tickets for Everton v Notts County are available via evertonfc.com/ladiesfacuptickets.
Tickets for Chelsea v Manchester City are available from wwfc.com/tickets. Wycombe Wanderers’ season tickets holders will also receive free entry to this last-four tie.
