- Tottenham take on Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday
- Spurs hoping to end club’s 16-year wait for a major trophy
- Manager Robert Vilahamn speaks about team’s ability to turn games around after falling behind
Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn has outlined one key trait his side possesses that he hopes will serve them well in this Sunday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Spurs take on last season's finalists, Manchester United, with this year’s showpiece event guaranteed to produce a new winner for the first time since Manchester City clinched their first FA Cup triumph in 2017. United will be hungry for the victory after they were edged 1-0 by Chelsea 12 months ago, whereas Spurs will be desperate to end the club’s 16-year wait for a major honour.
Vilahamn has taken the Lilywhites on quite the journey this season following his arrival in the summer. After battling relegation last term under previous manager Rehanne Skinner, Spurs are on course for a top six finish this season and their progression to the FA Cup final is testament to the transformation that has taken place at the club under the Swede’s leadership.
One characteristic of his team the manager has been impressed with throughout their FA Cup campaign so far is their ability to turn things around after falling behind in games. In three of their four games so far, against Manchester City, Sheffield United and Leicester City, Spurs have gone on to progress from a losing position.
"Everything we work on every day is to stay present, everything we do is to make sure we have control over our performances... we want to make sure we stay where we are and stick with the plan," Vilahamn told SPURSPLAY.
"This year has been brilliant, I think, it's nine games [three in the FA Cup] where we went down early and we came back to get a draw or a win and that shows how good the players can handle to be present during the games.
"That is a big step as I can develop them to play better football or better technically, but we also need to develop them to make sure they can handle the pressure on the big stage and that's one of main things I'm proud of, how they handle the setbacks, and that's why I think we will handle the game [on Sunday] in a good way."
Pundit and former Everton and Liverpool goalkeeper, Rachel Brown-Finnis, has urged Tottenham to use the "underdog" status to their advantage on Sunday. Given United are yet to lose to the Lilywhites in their previous 12 meetings, they are firm favourites heading into the game at Wembley.
However, the recent 2-2 draw between the two sides in the league should give Spurs plenty of optimism and the extra desire to upset the apple cart could bode well for them.
"Tottenham know they're underdogs and I've been in an FA Cup final as a massive underdog for Everton against Arsenal," Brown-Finnis told 90min. "Nobody expected us to win and it makes it all that much sweeter when you do, so I've lived the feelings that Tottenham players will be feeling going into this.
"You thrive off the expectation that people don't think you can do it, so that adds a layer of determination."
