Taiwan’s national soccer team last night lost 2-0 to Cambodia in a FIFA international friendly at the Taipei Municipal Stadium aimed at helping the squad prepare for next year’s East Asian Cup — a competition for which Taiwan has never previously qualified.
A cagey opening saw Cambodia dominate a nervous-looking Taiwan defense, with three scuffed clearances from goalkeeper Pan Wei-chi and a penalty appeal for the visitors in the seventh minute acting as a wake-up call for the hosts.
Midfielder Victor Chou sent a long-range free-kick sailing just over the bar in the 22nd minute to bring the home crowd to life, but chances were few and far between due to dogged defending by both teams, until the 41st minute when Taiwan midfielder Chen Yi-wei, latching on to a well-weighted through-ball, was denied by outstretched Cambodia goalkeeper Sou Yaty.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
Cambodia should have taken the lead in the 64th minute when sloppy defending afforded unmarked striker Khuon Laboravy a free shot on goal from close range, but he miscued, sending the ball wide.
Taiwan fought back and in the 67th minute an overhead-kick from Chou had the goalkeeper beaten, but it was kept out by the crossbar.
However, in the dying moments of the game, a crucial lapse in concentration by the Taiwan defense allowed unmarked Cambodia midfielder Chan Vatanaka to prod home from close range.
Chan then doubled the visitors’ lead with the last kick of the game as he raced clear of a weary Taiwan defense, calmly stroking the ball past the goalkeeper.
Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-jen said there was a reason his team conceded late goals.
“In the last 10 minutes, our team adjusted to a more attacking formation, because we wanted to win badly in front of our home fans,” Chen said.
The hosts will try to take some positives from the match as they gear up for important games against Guam, Hong Kong and North Korea in the second preliminary round of the East Asian Cup next month.
The national team was handed a boost on Monday when 25-year-old defender Yaki Yan, who plays in Spain, passed a tryout.
The recruitment of Yan is part of the soccer association’s ongoing project of scouting for overseas Taiwanese players.
Timothy Chow, who plays for English Championship side Wigan Athletic, has also expressed his desire to play for Taiwan’s national team.
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