On June 10, Guangdong's U16 women's football team will battle Shanghai for the first gold medal in the competitive sports events of the 15th National Games.
As the opening competitive event for the Guangzhou host area, the final follows the Guangdong girls' remarkable run: five consecutive wins propelling them to the national stage.
From the group stages to tonight's final, Guangdong has played all but one match at the Tianhe Sports Center. Their journey has already matched the best-ever result for a Guangdong women's football team at the National Games. Tonight offers the chance to write a new chapter.
"Every game, I want to leave nothing behind. Fight for everything, and good results will follow," stated striker Ye Xinyi firmly.
Trailing Sichuan 1-0 in the quarter-finals, the team rallied with confidence, shouting to their coaches: "Don't worry, we will win!" They prevailed 2-1. As Chen Qinyu, another striker, puts it: "Love for sport brings goals and dreams. Chase them. Fight for them."
The dramatic quarter-final victory over Sichuan ignited the Tianhe Sports Center. Their relentless spirit echoes the fighting traditions of both the Chinese and Guangdong women's teams.
Students watching were deeply impressed. "The atmosphere was electric," said Gong Lingfeng from Guangzhou Sport University. "It makes me want to play too. The Games have filled Guangzhou with sports fever. It's contagious! Sport is fantastic; it bonds friends and lifts your mood."
Fellow student Liang Ziheng felt inspired: "Seeing the players' passion and effort fires me up. I love football, basketball, and sport keeps me healthy and confident. Watching them play so fiercely makes me eager to get active!"
Another student spectator from a Guangzhou sports college said: "The stadium atmosphere was intense. Training makes us stronger. We all need to practice and play more."
Author: Feng Huiting
Photo: Yangcheng Evening News
Editor: Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
