Watching FIFA, late one night
My eyes snap open, wide and bright.
One player dominates the rest.
I dream, ‘One day, I’ll be the best.’
My brother laughs as though to mock
Then sees my face and stares in shock.
He says, ‘You can’t outplay a man.’
Our dad insists. ‘Oh, yes she can.’
I train down in our tiny yard –
Sure that no-one’s worked so hard.
I kick and dribble, juggle too,
And run as far as Timbuktu.
The trial for our local team
Has other girls with my same dream
The coach says girls aren’t in his plan
He points to me.’ Oh, yes. You can.’
Playing Sundays is the best
Against big boys with hairy chests
They think I’m just a weakling girl
My long hair tied in one big curl
Opponents threaten, ‘Just you try,’
I take the ball and fly right by.
I score in front of our home clan,
Who all yell out, ‘Oh yes, she can.’
I’m asked to play for my home state.
I train so hard, early to late,
Matildas coaches call me up –
They want me for the Asian Cup.
Commentators say I shan’t
‘Play in FIFA? No she can’t.’
My brother, now my biggest fan,
Argues back, ‘Oh, yes, she can.’
