Taipei City Tatung were this week crowned champions of the nation’s top soccer competition, the MediaTek Intercity Football League, with two games to spare.
Undefeated after 10 wins and two draws, Tatung claimed the title ahead of Taipower and Taichung City Dragon, who both have 25 points.
In the 12th round of matches on Wednesday, Tatung had to settle for a 3-3 draw against National Sports Training Center (NSTC) at the Taipei Municipal Stadium, their opponents grabbing an 85th-minute equalizer when Huang Han-pi scored after a goalmouth scramble following a corner.
Photo courtesy of Chinese Taipei Football Association
Earlier Tatung’s Turkish forward Onur Dogan, a naturalized Taiwanese citizen, playing under his Chinese name, Chu En-le, got on the scoresheet. Married to a Taiwanese, Dogan has adjusted well to living and playing soccer in Taiwan, while learning the language.
According to reports, Dogan played professionally in Turkey for second-division club Dardanel Spor AS, and his experience and skills have contributed to Tatung’s success.
Tatung manager Chiang Mu-tsai said he was elated after a six-year wait for his players to land their second title.
“It’s normal for a team to have ups and downs. Usually the squad with the most complete lineup can sustain a strong run, but you also need luck. It’s rare to win the title with two rounds to spare in this league. The teams behind us had some problems and didn’t adjust well, while our players did an outstanding job to take all their opportunities,” Chiang said.
Second and third places are still up for grabs with two games left in the season. Ming Chuan University are currently fourth in the league with 17 points, behind Taipower and Taichung City.
Winless expat team Taipei City Dragons languish at the bottom of the table with three points from their 12 games.
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