Jess Naz feels FA Cup semi-finalists Tottenham are ready to win a trophy
Spurs host Women’s Super League rivals Leicester at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday in the Women’s FA Cup semi-final and the winner will play at the national stadium for the first time on May 12.
Tottenham won last month’s league meeting between the sides, but the long-serving Naz is determined to ensure the squad’s unwavering belief does not turn into complacency.
“The excitement was there when we got through, but we’ve got to hone down and make sure we turn up on the day,” London-born Naz told the PA news agency.
“It’s one more step to the final. Playing at the stadium will be great. In front of the fans, it will give us another source of energy to go out there, play our football and hopefully win.
“We have got the quality to win a trophy this season. The FA Cup would be a great way to start and then we’ll grow in the league.”
It has been a dramatic cup journey for Spurs, which mirrors the career of Naz given she recently made her 97th appearance for the club but has also fought back from a serious knee injury in 2019.
Tottenham were two down to Sheffield United in round four before scoring a stoppage-time winner. Charlton, another Championship opponent, were narrowly negotiated next before they faced title-chasing Manchester City for a fourth time this season.
After three previous losses by a 10-0 aggregate score, the odds were stacked against Spurs, but captain Bethany England hit a stoppage-time leveller before Becky Spencer’s penalty shootout heroics secured a semi-final berth.
It means Tottenham are one win away from playing at Wembley, something that has always been a dream for Naz – although one that has felt far away at times.
Born into a football-mad family, some of the earliest memories Naz has of the sport are being forced to watch her brothers play from the touchline after she was denied the chance to join in with their team.
Everything changed aged eight when she caught the eye of Tottenham scouts before she spent her teenage years in Arsenal’s academy.
The decision to return to Spurs paid off when she scored the goal to fire them into the WSL in 2019, but disaster struck when she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament and missed the whole of the 2019-20 campaign.
“At the time, I didn’t even know what ACL or MCLs were until I did it,” Naz said.
“I had just come back from the Under-19 Euros so was on a high. It was pre-season, we had just got promoted and it was a dream come true but then it came crashing down.
“It was a long, long recovery but the belief I had – and with the staff helping – got me through.
“There has been ups and downs along the way still with injuries, but I think this season I’ve been in a really good place.
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“I feel confident, which is the best thing for me because when I feel confident I play my best.”
Naz has eight goal involvements from 25 appearances this season, form which puts her in contention for an England call-up.
She added: “Going through the age groups from under-15s all the way through to under-23s, it would be a great honour to represent England.
“I’ll just keep pushing and hopefully it comes.
“When you are younger, going to FA Cup games or watching England play, it is definitely a dream place to play. It would be great to play there one day.”