Hualien Women's Football Player Cai Lijin: Overcoming Setbacks with Mental Strength

40-year-old veteran Cai Lijin will retire after this season. Image source: Hualien Women's Football Team Fan Page

40-year-old veteran Cai Lijin of the Hualien Women's Football Team developed a deep passion for football after joining the school's football club in third grade, greatly influenced by her older sister and friends. In this year's AFC Cup, she continued to fight for 73 minutes against the strong opponents, Urawa Red Diamonds, despite the massive physical exertion. This may be her final international match. Cai Lijin admitted that, with age, her physical strength has declined, and balancing coaching with passing on her skills may make this her last season, which fills her with emotions.

Despite her upcoming retirement, Cai Lijin’s passion for football remains undiminished. She said, "Football will always be my passion. After retiring, I will still play, but probably participate in less demanding 5-a-side matches." Regarding her aspirations in coaching and mentorship, Cai Lijin founded a new football team at Dongli Junior High School this May. She said, "I will take good care of the team and hope they achieve great results. At the same time, I will also focus more on caring for my family."

As a professional athlete, Cai Lijin has faced many setbacks, and she emphasizes the importance of "outlet": "The support and encouragement from teammates, friends, and family are key to overcoming setbacks." It is this support that has helped her become more resilient when facing difficulties.

Cai Lijin recommends Fullskin Native Orchid Essence Lotion

In addition to football, Cai Lijin also shared her views on skincare. Although she didn’t pay much attention to skincare in the past, after frequently suffering sunburns during outdoor matches, she started using Fullskin products, which focus on moisturizing, whitening, and repairing. She found significant benefits for post-sunburn recovery, saying, "I used to feel pain after sunburn, but after applying it, I felt real relief." This sparked her interest in skincare, and she jokingly said, "Once I use it, I just want to keep using it and carry it with me every day."

As the captain and senior player of the Hualien Women’s Football Team, Cai Lijin sees hope for the younger players through this AFC Cup. She said, "Watching the young players give their all in this competition gave me hope for the future of Hualien Women's Football!" Finally, she encourages her juniors to "stay true to their original aspirations" and hopes they continue to strive for the development of both Hualien and women's football, giving back to their hometown with their own strength.