Taiwan draw, Sri Lanka qualify

Taiwan's Chang Han, No. 7, exchanges high-fives with his teammates after he scored his team's first goal against Sri Lanka in Taipei yesterday. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Taiwan twice took the lead and earned a last-gasp penalty but were unable to claim victory as their match with Sri Lanka in Taipei yesterday ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

The result meant that Sri Lanka topped Group A of the AFC Challenge Cup, thereby qualifying for the finals. Pakistan, who beat Guam 10-2 yesterday, finished second, Taiwan third and Guam fourth.

Taiwan started yesterday’s game knowing that nothing but a comprehensive victory would secure them a place in India this summer, while Sri Lanka entered the match in good form having put five goals past Guam and seven past Pakistan in their previous games.

The home side started promisingly when a freekick by Chiang Shih-lu in the second minute was tipped over the crossbar by Sri Lankan keeper Asanka Viraj. The ensuing corner by Chen Yi-wei was headed clear but only as far as Chang Han, whose shot flew over the bar.

A minute later it was Sri Lanka who threatened when Channa Ediribandange found himself in a decent position in the home side’s penalty area — only to shoot wide.

Taiwan's Tsai Hsien-tang heads the ball during yesterday's game against Sri Lanka at Zhongshan Stadium in Taipei. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Sri Lanka kept possession well in the early stages, passing the ball nicely and trying to craft an opening. In the 11th minute Channa played a dangerous freekick into the Taiwan penalty box but keeper Lu Kun-chi collected well.

In the 21st minute Sri Lanka’s Mohamed Mohideen played a ball down the middle that striker Kasun Jayasuriya controlled with his chest, only to screw his shot wide of the right post.

In the 27th minute Chang found himself in space on the right. He cut inside, ran into the Sri Lankan area and unleashed a low shot which Viraj got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. Taiwan were ahead.

The goal spurred the visitors into greater urgency, but Taiwan were also energized and preserved their lead until halftime.

Taiwan had a good chance in the 55th minute when a shot by Chiang was well saved, but soon after a dangerous ball into the box by Nimal Dehiwalage was tipped over for a corner by Lu. Another corner a minute later was swung in to the near post where Mohideen headed home to put Sri Lanka level in the 58th minute.

Both sides threatened sporadically until the last 15 minutes, when a good ball into the box was cleared just before Lo Chih-an could get to it. Two corners in quick succession kept the pressure on the Sri Lankans, who cracked in the 76th minute when Tsai Hsien-tang headed home from another corner to put Taiwan ahead.

The sparse crowd came to life but had their hearts in their mouths soon after when defender Lee Meng-chian was dispossessed in his own half, leading to a break on goal which was only halted by a close offside decision against Mohideen.

The home side’s luck ran out in the 85th minute though, when a defensive mix up left Jayasuriya through on goal to score.

However, in the 89th minute Viraj brought down Chih En-lo in the box to earn a yellow card and concede a penalty.

Taiwan skipper Tsai stepped up to take the spot kick, but his low shot was tipped around the right hand post by the Sri Lankan keeper at full stretch to earn them a share of the points.