Lim You, Nina, Danushri and Co kick down barriers by showing unity on pitch
DIFFERENT states. Different mother tongues. Different reasons for lacing up their boots each morning.
But over nine days during the Srikandi Merdeka Cup in Kudus, Indonesia, in August– through a nine-goal rout, a crushing semi-final defeat and a spirited bronze-medal response – the national Under-17 women’s football team brought plenty of joy to Malaysia.
Their strong show of unity gave fans something to cheer about and showed how these young girls can bring the nation together through their exploits on the football pitch.
Led by 14-year-old Lim You, who became an instant sensation after scoring eight goals - including a whopping seven in a single game - to win the Golden Boot, the girls under coach Fairuz Montana Zainal Abidin, also showed that they have a promising future together if they can keep the momentum going.
DIFFERENCES ARE NOT AN OBSTACLE
For Sabah-born Nina Hasmaji, 16, the tournament’s real lesson was learned long before kickoff, among teammates who did not share her state, her background or her community.
“My experience playing alongside teammates from different states, backgrounds and communities has taught me the true meaning of being Malaysian,” she says.
“Through football, I learned that our differences are not an obstacle - they become a strength that unites us. We learned to respect each other, work together and support one another to achieve the same goal.”
That strength was tested directly in the Saudi Arabia match, when Malaysia were reduced to 10 players.
Nina remembers no finger-pointing, only resolve.
“We didn’t blame each other. Instead, we continued to trust one another to rise and carry out our own responsibilities,” she recalls.
“Even though every player has a different character, the trust we built allowed us to act as one unit.
“A team’s strength doesn’t lie only in individual brilliance, but in the belief that every player will always play their part for their teammates and the shared goal.”
Beneath that composure sits a deeply personal motivation. Nina, who grew up in a kampung family, says she plays football not for herself but for her parents, whose years of hard work taught her what she calls “the true meaning of life.
She credits her coach, Hilary John Baptist, for training her “from zero” to this level, and says every opportunity she has been given, she takes as a blessing.
“I hope my journey can be proof that with effort, prayer and trust, every girl can chase her dreams,” she says.
THAT MOMENT SHOWED ME WHAT TRUST MEANS
Fourteen-year-old Lim You, fresh off her seven-goal masterclass against Saudi Arabia, points instead to a tougher night - the group-stage defeat to Indonesia - as the one that taught her the most.
“When things weren’t going our way, instead of blaming one another and giving up, we stayed positive, trusted, communicated and kept encouraging one another,” she says.
“Everyone was willing to work hard for one another and we never gave up. I think that game was really impactful and we learned a lot from it.”
She is equally direct about what wearing the jersey means to her.
“Playing with teammates from different states and backgrounds has taught me so much about trust, communication and teamwork, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” she says.
“Representing Malaysia is a huge honour for me, and I hope we can show girls that they can dream big and achieve their goals by working hard and believing in themselves.”
She adds that she hopes her generation’s efforts can help grow the women’s game at home: “By working hard and working together, we can inspire more girls to play and follow their dreams.”
YOU WON’T HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING ALONE
For A. Danushri, 15, representing Malaysia at this level carries both honour and responsibility.
“As young women, we hope to show girls back home that they can dream big, believe in themselves and pursue their passion in football,” she says, crediting her family, culture and hometown for the humility and work ethic she brings to every match.
“Whenever I play, I carry their support with me and feel proud to represent not only myself but also my family and Malaysia.”
She also singles out a moment of quiet trust on the pitch as formative.
“During a match, there was a moment when I had to trust my teammates to support me and make the right decisions,” she says.
“That moment showed me that when we trust and support one another, we become stronger together.”
Keisha Adeliena Khalid, 15, the squad’s captain, sums up the team’s ethos most simply: from the first day of camp, the players were told they were family.
“No one will ever be left alone. We fight together, we fall together, and when we fall, we get back on our feet together,” she says.
She points to the squad’s resilience through a tournament of “tough losses, long journeys and sacrifices” as proof of what togetherness can build.
“We never stopped believing, we kept fighting and supporting each other till the end.”
It’s a lesson she is eager to pass on to the next generation of Malaysian girls.
“You won’t have to go through everything alone. You’ll always have family, friends, teammates, coaches and fans next to you supporting you all the way,” she said.
“Find your people, support one another, and keep moving forward together. Because when we stand together, we are much stronger than we are alone.”
