Following a hard-fought match yesterday against Unit 2, the Shenzhen Middle School International Division (Unit 8) soccer team returned to the turf today with elevated focus, resilience, and tactical intensity. We were thrilled to welcome German exchange student Dominic to join our session for competitive rondo drills and our full-pitch intra-squad scrimmage.

Interestingly, Dominic only caught the football fever recently during the 2026 World Cup, and today was virtually his very first time stepping onto a real pitch for an organized match! Yet, coming from football-crazed Germany where the sport is woven into daily life, he has always been an avid supporter at heart. His favorite club is Eintracht Frankfurt—an allegiance he proudly claims, even though he amusingly admitted he has never actually set foot in the city of Frankfurt!

Before kickoff, our team captain and I spent time mentoring Dominic on the sideline, demonstrating striking mechanics, follow-through angles, and shooting footwork to help him find his rhythm. Although the scrimmage lineup put us on opposing sides—with him stationed at Center Back and me pushing up the flank as Right Back wearing jersey No. 4—I made sure to warmly encourage him throughout the game, shouting words of support across the turf.

The competition remained spirited yet friendly: on one incisive overlapping run into the opponent’s penalty area, I drew a decisive foul against Dominic in the box. Our squad capitalized on the ensuing momentum, netting two crisp goals to secure a clean-sheet 2-0 victory. After the final whistle, Dominic and I shared a firm handshake and hearty laughs, reflecting on the match, comparing youth sports culture between Germany and China, and celebrating the universal language of the beautiful game.