Where is the girl playing football?

The 2015 Women's World Cup took place in Canada, marking the return of the Chinese women’s football team to the global stage after eight years. The team's resilience and determination have inspired many, yet the glory of the "Iron Blossoms" has faded since the first Women's World Cup in 1991. Over more than two decades, women's football has grown rapidly worldwide, but China's once-proud women's football program has struggled to keep up. A weak grassroots foundation remains a major obstacle for the national team's success. In developed countries, women's football is now common, with girls playing at all levels. In nations like Germany, the U.S., Japan, and Sweden, it is normal for girls to play football. However, in China, even after over 20 years, a girl who wants to play football often faces strange looks from others. This was especially true for Yang Xue, captain of Beijing Meilin’s women’s football team. She recalls how, in the early days, few people understood or supported women playing football. Every week, on the artificial turf field at Beijing Dongdan Sports Center, a group of women gather to play football. They are not professional athletes or sports students; they come from different walks of life—white-collar workers, students, freelancers, and mothers. What unites them is their love for the game. Yang Xue, a typical “85” generation woman, is energetic, humorous, and independent. While many urban women like her are associated with office life, few connect them with football. Yang Xue was introduced to football through her father, who used to watch Guoan matches. As a child, she was inspired by the sport and eventually found herself playing alongside boys in school. “I loved the feeling of running, controlling the ball, and shooting,” she recalls. From sixth grade until now, she has never stopped playing. However, as she grew older, fewer girls stayed involved in football. “It was mostly the boys who played, while girls were just cheerleaders,” she says. Many girls face societal pressure to conform to traditional roles. Yang Xue faced opposition from teachers and her mother, though her father was supportive. “It’s rare to find someone who treats girls like boys when it comes to football,” she says. She questions why boys are allowed to play while girls are expected to cheer. For many girls in China, breaking through these stereotypes is harder than finding a chance to play. While table tennis, badminton, and tennis are widely accepted for women, football still carries a stigma. In developed countries, women’s football is thriving, but in China, progress is slow. When will this prejudice disappear? In 2010, 25-year-old Yang Xue decided to take matters into her own hands. She founded the Merlin Women’s Football Team, named after the plum blossom, symbolizing perseverance and beauty. Her goal was to create a space where women could play without facing discrimination. Forming the team was not easy. “There are very few girls who play football, and even fewer who stick with it,” Yang Xue explains. After five years of online recruitment and player votes, the team grew to over 70 members, but only a dozen remained active. Despite the challenges, the team has become a source of joy and friendship for its players. For these women, football is more than a sport—it’s a passion. Whether they’re professionals or office workers, they share the same happiness on the field. Yang Xue believes that women who play football are simply pursuing a personal hobby, even if the group is small in China. Today, Beijing may have only two amateur women’s teams, with Shanghai and Chengdu also having some. But in other cities, it’s still unclear. Yang Xue feels the power of women’s football growing slowly in China. She recalls an amusing experience when her team first entered the Dongdan Sports Center. Initially charged as spectators, they were surprised when staff realized they were playing. Later, they were asked to pay higher fees for playing time. Meanwhile, male players initially watched in amazement but gradually accepted the presence of female players. Some even offered guidance, showing no bias. Despite these positive changes, China still lags behind developed nations. Recently, Yang Xue visited Japan and was amazed by the variety of women’s football equipment available. In China, she and her teammates often wore men’s gear. “I hope women’s football can be integrated into schools so girls can play as much as boys,” she says. “Only then can we develop strong grassroots support like in other countries.” As the Chinese women’s team tries to reclaim past glory in the Canadian World Cup, they face opponents whose strength is backed by solid mass participation. The revival of Chinese women’s football cannot rely solely on professional players. The development of amateur women’s football must not be ignored. It is time for change.

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