Wuhan Jiangda players surround goalkeeper Ding Xuan after winning the shootout. 

A LEGACY OF GROWTH

As fans poured out of the stadium, many joined in a powerful chorus of Iron Roses, a famous Chinese song that praises resilient women. Meanwhile, a group of supporters unfurled a giant Chinese flag, chanting deep into the night.

This was more than the end of a tournament. It was the continuation of a legacy decades in the making.

Wuhan is the hometown of many players on the Jiangda team, as well as China's national team. Five within the championship squad once studied at Wuhan Wansongyuan Primary School, a local football-specialty school. Since the 1990s, Wuhan has invested heavily in grassroots development for girls' football, from schools to universities and then to professional clubs.

In 1999, Jianghan University founded a women's football team. Two years later, Wuhan Jiangda Women's Football Club was established. After years of combining campus training with professional ambition, they finally entered the national top flight in 2017 and never looked back.

With this AFC title, Wuhan has earned a slot at the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup in 2026.

"We'll keep moving forward and showcase the spirit of Wuhan women's football on the world stage," noted Chang.

Editor：Zhilan Hu