At MIC, a group of girls are writing a brand-new football story with sweat and passion. As the school's first women's football team, they started from scratch and, within just a few months, have embodied the spirit of "steel roses" through unity and perseverance.
The formation of MIC's women's football team stemmed from the girls' pure love for the sport. Team captain Elantis recalled, "At the beginning, many didn't even understand the basic rules. Passes often went awry, and shots lacked power." Yet, it was this courage to "start from zero" that kept them going.
In the early days of training, under the guidance of MIC's foreign PE teacher Josh, Captain Elantis decided to adopt a "game-first" approach, dedicating 70% of their time to actual matches to help the players grow quickly through competition. Despite frequent falls and mistakes, no one gave up easily.
"I used to be a complete novice who didn't know the rules and fell all the time. But in just a month, I've learned to dribble smoothly and even score goals," said team member Liao Yuxin (Charley), who joined less than a month ago. Her progress not only showcased her technical improvement but also proved that passion can overcome difficulties and challenges.
During a match against another school, heavy rain turned the field into a muddy mess. The opposing team wore professional cleats, while MIC's players struggled with ordinary shoes. They adjusted their tactics, double- or triple-teaming the opponent's key player and seizing counterattack opportunities. "We might not be as skilled, but we can't lose in determination!" In the end, their tenacious defense and quick counterattacks secured a victory. This "rain battle" became a turning point for the team, teaching them that unity and fighting spirit are just as important as technique.
The team's progress has been remarkable: from initially struggling to complete passes and relying on individual plays."I'll never forget the moment when the whole team cheered after our first goal," said forward Melody, recalling how she broke the deadlock in a 0-0 stalemate, igniting the team's morale.
Alice shared, "The most unforgettable moment was the decisive goal I scored in the inter-school league. Breaking through the defense at the last minute and hearing the team's cheers made me realize our hard work paid off." Off the field, she trained diligently, practicing shots and dribbling, studying opponents' defensive weaknesses.
As a midfielder, Jessie believes her biggest challenge is "finding her role." She constantly adjusts during matches—falling back to defend when the opponent attacks aggressively or pushing forward to support the offense. "Running the entire field, observing tactics, and following the captain's instructions" have become her routine. This flexibility and sense of responsibility are the core values of a midfielder. Though she joined just two or three months ago, she’s already learned the importance of teamwork: "Before, I only cared about scoring in 3v3 games. Now, I play for the team."
Gathered together, the girls laugh and say, "Those moments fighting for victory, those times encouraging each other after losses—they’ve shown us we’re not just a team, but a family."
Now, this young team has achieved a record of two wins and one loss in inter-school matches, but their ambitions go far beyond that. The captain said, "We want to prove that girls can play football with both ferocity and grace." For many players, football is also a spiritual outlet.
The story of MIC's women's football team is a microcosm of courage, perseverance, and teamwork. Their running figures on the field send a clear message: football knows no gender boundaries—only the power of passion. "We may not be the best, but we’ll never give less than our all!" With every pass and every shot, the future of this team grows brighter and clearer.
