Taiwan came from behind to defeat Guam 3-2 in an international friendly at the Taipei Municipal Stadium last night.
Taiwan took the lead in the fifth minute through Chen Chao-an, but Guam hit back through Edward Na in the 34th minute after good work by Shane Malcolm on the right.
Malcolm then got on the scoresheet himself in the 44th minute after Taiwan goalkeeper Lu Kun-chi failed to deal with a shot, handing the visitors a 2-1 lead going into the break.
Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times
Taiwan had Guam on the back foot at the beginning of the second half, with Lin Chien-hsun having his shot blocked on the goal-line in the 54th minute.
The pressure paid off in the 61st minute when Wu Chun-ching bundled in at the back post after good work by Chen Chao-an on the right.
Centerback Chen Wei-chuan’s header from a corner in the 80th minute gave the hosts a 3-2 lead and they hung on to record a morale-boosting victory.
Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times
“Although this was an international friendly, we have waited a long time for a victory and it was great to do it in front of the home fans,” Taiwan head coach Chen Kuei-jen said.
“It was an excellent team effort, we took the lead, fell behind, then came back to score goals and turn it around,” he said.
“I applaud my players and this is the kind of display I want to see in our future matches,” he added.
“All our players gave their best all the way to the end,” Guam head coach Gary White said.
“We can see the future is bright for our youngsters,” he said.
Taiwan next travel to Hanoi to take on Vietnam in their final 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
Taiwan are at the bottom of Group F with no points and are guaranteed to finish last in the group, but they will be looking for a good result in Vietnam to finish their qualifying campaign on a high note.
Guam, who are in fourth place in Group D with seven points, are to travel to Muscat to take on Oman in their final qualifier on the same day.
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