On December 11, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games of China entered the fourth day of competition. The Sichuan women's blind football team faced off against Guangdong Team II, ultimately suffering a 1-7 defeat. For a team that was established only half a year ago, despite the lopsided loss, it is seen as a new beginning.

This year's event marks the first time a women's blind football tournament has been included in the games. The pitch measures 40 meters long and 20 meters wide, with boards installed around it and a bell inside the football to assist with positioning. Players must make sounds to alert others as they run.

The Sichuan team, with an average age of 24 among its 10 members, consists mostly of individuals who had no previous contact with football. The team captain, He Xingping, admitted to initially being afraid of running in the dark, but she gradually improved after overcoming the psychological barrier.

During the match, the players relied on the sound of the bell and vocal guidance, requiring great courage and teamwork. Coach Lu Peiyi has witnessed the transformation of the players from timid to confident, emphasizing that participating in the competition is aimed at gaining experience and forging willpower, which is considered a significant breakthrough.

The uniqueness of blind football fosters a close bond among the team members. Among the five blind players on the field, the goalkeeper has normal vision or a minor visual impairment and is responsible for defense and guidance. Goalkeeper Lin Qiqi is not only a line of defense but also the "eyes" of her teammates. This unique collaboration results in extraordinary chemistry, with sound becoming the bond in the darkness.

During breaks in the game, players communicate through sound and physical contact, conveying trust and support. Team member Tan Sinuo struck up a friendship with volunteer Qiu Tiantian outside the competition venue, with plans to attend concerts together and inviting each other to visit Sichuan.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】