Luna: The Instinct of a Number 10
21 May 2026
Luna (14), striker of Imaculata FC from Girls Football 3.0 Manggarai(Photo: Alfred Ike Wurin/Plan Indonesia)
The final minutes of that championship match felt far longer than usual. Time itself seemed to slow down as the thunderous roar of the crowd filled the air. Luna’s team, Imaculata FC, was still trailing by one goal, and the crushing weight of avoiding defeat rested heavily on every player’s shoulders, including Luna’s.
Amid the pressure, a powerful strike from Ciara smashed against the crossbar and bounced back into the penalty box. Luna was already there, perfectly positioned to meet the rebound. She appeared almost unnoticed, slipping into a pocket of empty space that existed for only a split second.
With the calm instinct of a true penalty-box predator, Luna met Ciara’s rebound and fired a precise low shot toward goal.
Gooooooal!
The supporters of Imaculata FC erupted in celebration. Luna sprinted toward the left side of the field, screaming with emotion as her teammates, both on the pitch and from the bench, rushed to embrace her.
It was the equalizing goal in a dramatic final match.
That crucial strike completed her tally of two goals throughout the tournament. The number itself may not have seemed extraordinary, but every touch she made carried purpose and impact. In that moment, she became the one who determined destiny.
Her last-minute goal changed everything. It breathed new life into her team and carried them into the penalty shootout. In the end, they stood proudly on the top podium after winning the tense battle of penalties.
Luna lunges for a loose ball in midfield. (Photo: Alfred Ike Wurin/Plan Indonesia)
After They Became Champions
For the 14-year-old, the victory was never just about lifting a trophy. There was a real transformation she felt after going through the series of matches in Girls Football 3.0.
Luna felt physically and mentally stronger than before. Her instinct for finding open spaces and scoring goals had become sharper with every game.
“When I scored, I only focused on where the ball would fall,” Luna explained.
“I had already looked at the goal before the ball dropped, then I ran toward where it would land. Once it reached my feet, I immediately shot toward the goal.”
When asked about how things used to be, she did not say much. Quietly, she explained that opportunities for girls to play football had once been extremely limited. Even when they did play, it was usually only during school sports lessons.
Because of that, she never truly believed she could become so dangerous in front of goal, let alone become a champion.
“I feel proud because I was able to score in the final, and now I feel much more confident playing in front of many people,” Luna said.
She still vividly remembers that moment at Aloysius Field. When the final whistle blew and her team was officially crowned champion, an overwhelming sense of joy and pride filled her heart.
She had proven her ability.
For the first time in her life, her single goal in the final became the foundation that led her team to win the very first Girls Football 3.0 tournament in Ruteng.
Since then, Luna has no longer been afraid to dream bigger than where she stands today.
“I hope I can become a famous football player one day,” she said with a smile.
Written by: Alfred Ike Wurin| Edited by: Annisa Aulia Hanifa | Photo: Alfred Ike Wurin/Plan Indonesia
