On the Sept. 3 episode of SBS’ "Kick a Goal", the GIFA Cup officially kicked off.
The opener featured Actionista versus World Class.
Before kickoff, Phoenix United ― a reunion squad of legends ― stepped onto the pitch, took it all in, and vowed to “write a new chapter.”
In the locker room, players unboxed fresh kits stamped with their old numbers, sparking a wave of nostalgia.
Sentiment quickly turned to swagger. “We’re Phoenix ― we don’t fade, we fly to the final,” they said. “Every match is a gift. We came back as legends, and we’re playing for pride. We want the win.”
With Aegi’s exit, World Class brought in Australian standout Jai ― and she looked scary-good from warmups. Twenty-one seconds after the whistle, she buried her debut goal off a feed from Karine, stunning everyone watching.
The strike set a show record for fastest debut goal, eclipsing Heo Kyung-hee’s previous 51-second mark.
Rattled, Actionista pushed hard for an equalizer, but before they could level, World Class struck again: Saori finished off a slick assist from Jai. Rival players could only mutter that a fearsome Aussie ringer had just arrived.
Jai wasn’t done. In the sixth minute, she pounced on Naty’s deflected ball to make it 3?0.
With the rookie blowing up the power rankings, Actionista called timeout and switched tactics, assigning Jung Hye-in to tight-mark Jai.
Anticipating the move, World Class coach Kim Byung-ji subbed Jai out to neutralize the strategy.
Stung, Actionista dug in. Park Ji-an and Jung Hye-in netted in succession to cut it to 3-2 before halftime.
Early in the second half, Naty’s foul left Park Ji-an screaming after a collision that dislocated her shoulder.
Stretchered off, Park returned minutes later in a gutsy show of determination. But Actionista’s bad luck wasn’t over.
During a challenge, Jai and Jung Hye-in tangled and fell; Jung appeared to twist her ankle and, in tears, had to be subbed off.
Seven minutes into the half, Naty unleashed a long-range rocket for 4-2. At 11 minutes, Park Ji-an willed in another to make it 4-3, drawing applause across the field.
The comeback fell short. World Class closed it out 4-3, eliminating Actionista from the GIFA Cup.
A teaser at the end previewed Phoenix United ― now joined by “the Absolute” ― facing her former club Bulnabi in the next episode.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)