Flame Girls Soccer Team Shows Growth Beyond Victory in Latest Match

The Flame Girls soccer team demonstrated remarkable growth that transcends mere wins and losses in the latest episode of tvN's reality show, Run, Flame Girls (달려라 불꽃소녀), which aired on January 11. As they prepared for the upcoming U-7 youth soccer tournament, the team showcased their determination and resilience during a final evaluation match, testing a new 7-player strategy. The episode achieved the highest viewership ratings in its time slot among cable and satellite channels, according to Nielsen Korea.

Having previously played with six players, the Flame Girls underwent a complete overhaul to adapt to the 7-player format of the U-7 tournament. Coach Lee Dong-gook implemented a new formation featuring three defenders, one midfielder, and two forwards, passionately leading the team through their tactical training.

Adding to the excitement, national team goalkeeper Jo Hyun-woo made a special appearance as a guest coach, focusing on improving the skills of his daughter, goalkeeper Jo Ha-rin. Together, they practiced blocking shots from various angles, with Jo Ha-rin repeatedly training even after falling.

The final evaluation match was against LGH Academy, led by coach Lee Geun-ho, who also has a background as a national team player. The match was particularly thrilling as the Flame Girls aimed for their second consecutive win. They quickly created scoring opportunities, with Kim Seo-yul netting the opening goal just two minutes into the game, marking one of the fastest goals in the show's history.

Despite facing a strong opposing goalkeeper and a challenging 1-1 tie, the Flame Girls continued to execute Coach Lee's build-up tactics and maintained their offensive pressure. However, they ended the first half trailing 1-4, prompting Jo Ha-rin to request a substitution due to her feelings of guilt over conceding goals, leading to Yoon Seo-ha taking over as goalkeeper for the second half.

In the second half, the Flame Girls reignited their pursuit, with Kim Seo-yul scoring two more goals to complete a hat trick, bringing the score to 3-4. With encouragement from coach Song Hae-na, Jo Ha-rin returned to the goal, and both teams exchanged goals, keeping the score tight at 4-5.

Throughout the match, the Flame Girls encouraged each other with chants of 'We can do it,' showcasing their impressive skills. Jo Ha-rin's determined saves and the relentless efforts of all players were truly moving. Although they ultimately lost 4-7, the match was significant as it marked their first time playing together as a full 7-player team, highlighting their exceptional performance.

Jo Hyun-woo noted his daughter's disappointment but chose to remain silent, understanding her character. He empathized with her struggles, stating, 'When a goalkeeper keeps conceding goals, they want to escape the field. I'm sure Ha-rin felt that today.' He added that he was touched by the team's effort and determination.

In the upcoming ninth episode, viewers can look forward to the Flame Girls' participation in the highly anticipated U-7 youth soccer tournament. With their hard work and training, expectations are high for their performance. The next episode of Run, Flame Girls will air on January 18 at 5:50 PM.