The Spark Girl Football Team achieved a happy ending by winning an official tournament just six months after its formation.
The Spark Girl Football Team from the tvN variety show ‘Run, Spark Girl (planned by Choi Jae-hyung)’ secured the championship by defeating Mokpo Sports Club 3 to 2 in the U-7 youth football tournament.
Previously, the Spark Girl Football Team won their first match against Baekho FC with a score of 2 to 1 and faced Avengers FC in the second match. The Spark Girl Football Team took the lead with a goal from Kim Seo-yul, making it 1 to 0, followed by an additional goal from Kim Se-ah and a first goal from Lee Ga-yeon, resulting in a 3 to 0 victory.
The third match was fiercely contested against the strong championship contender Mokpo Sports Club. Both teams were tense as it was the final match of the tournament and they had the same points. The Spark Girl Football Team fell behind 0 to 2 after conceding a goal in the first half and another in the second half, but they actively engaged in the game, sharing enthusiastic support and encouragement.
During the match, a handball foul was called against the opponent in the penalty box, and Kim Se-ah successfully converted the penalty kick, igniting the spark of a comeback. Not stopping there, Kim Se-ah scored a fantastic equalizer just 15 seconds after the game resumed, causing cheers from the crowd. Coach Lee Dong-guk remarked, “It gives me goosebumps,” while caster Jung Yong-geum said, “The players are growing even in this moment. They are growing right now,” which thrilled the viewers.
The hero of the comeback goal was Lee Ji-eum. After hesitating to shoot for a long time, Lee Ji-eum scored her first goal after six months of waiting, sealing the victory for the Spark Girl Football Team. Thus, the Spark Girl Football Team finished the match with a score of 3 to 2, achieving a miraculous drama of three consecutive wins in their first official tournament, a time when scoring a single goal was difficult and winning a match seemed challenging.
The champions, the Spark Girls, expressed their heartfelt feelings, saying, “Today is the happiest day,” “Thank you, friends and sisters,” and “I want to continue ‘Run, Spark Girl’.” The head of the Spark Girl Football Team, Coach Lee Dong-guk, wished, “As the children grow, I feel like I have grown too. I hope they cherish this moment forever and continue to approach the sport of football.”
In this way, ‘Run, Spark Girl’ conveyed positive energy by depicting the journey of the Spark Girl Football Team, who were beginners in football, to becoming champions. In particular, the scenes of the Spark Girls, who had to learn the basics of football, executing tactics through consistent training, amazed viewers every time.
Above all, the perseverance and pure passion of the Spark Girls, who gave their all until the end of the match, and their teamwork in supporting each other shone brightly. Even when they failed to score or conceded goals, they cheered, “It’s okay,” and “We can do it,” becoming a perfect one team that captured the hearts of online aunts and uncles.
The warm advice and chemistry of Coach Lee Dong-guk, Coach Lee Soo-geun, Coach Alberto, and Coach Song Hae-na, who shared the journey with the Spark Girls, provided warmth, while the affectionate commentary from Coach Lee Soo-geun and caster Jung Yong-geum added to the enjoyment.
Additionally, the scenes of the Spark Girls’ supportive families watching the matches and sharing tears and laughter heightened the immersion. Jung Yoon-ha’s father Jung Jo-guk and Lee Ji-eum’s father Lee Ho served as special commentators, providing commentary on the Spark Girl Football Team’s matches, showcasing their support as fathers while also sharing insights as football enthusiasts, which added to the viewing pleasure.
With a story filled with the sincerity of the Spark Girls, tvN’s ‘Run, Spark Girl’ captured both fun and meaning, concluding its broadcast on the 25th.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
