Taiwan defeated Timor-Leste 2-1 to win the first round of their two-match AFC Asia Cup qualifier series at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung last night, with in-form striker Wu Chun-ching grabbing a brace.
The match started a flurry of action at either end, with Timor-Leste going ahead inside five minutes and the hosts equalizing two minutes later.
Wu netted his second goal in the 38th minute, and despite plenty of opportunities, neither team could score in the second half, handing Taiwan the advantage heading into the return leg on Tuesday.
Photo: Lin Tsung-wei, Taipei Times
Both matches are to take place in Kaohsiung, as Timor-Leste gave up hosting rights with their national stadium under construction. Yesterday’s game was regarded as a home match for Timor-Leste.
There was some doubts about the condition of the pitch, with rain around for most of the afternoon. However, it eased by the time the game began.
Taiwan head coach Satoshi Imai started with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Wu the lone striker.
The players initially found it difficult to control the ball and the moisture slowed the passing game.
Timor-Leste striker Rufino Gama opened the scoring, receiving a pass in front of goal and faking out a defender with a delayed pump to send a low shot past goalkeeper Pan Wen-chieh.
However, Taiwan’s attacking midfield trio found a chance to break down the opposition defense.
Wu collected a pass just inside the box and he sent a volley out of goalkeeper Ramos Maxanchesto’s reach to level the scores.
Both sides mounted forays into the opposition zone throughout the first half and as the match proceeded, Taiwan were the more dangerous side, with passing combinations opening up the game and pushing the attack into the opposition area.
They were rewarded in the 38th minute, with Chen Po-liang knocking down a header to fellow midfielder Wen Chih-hao, who rounded the defense on the left side. Wen fed a low cross into the box, where Wu redirected the ball with a flick to seize the lead.
Timor-Leste thought they had an equalizer with the ball in the goal just before halftime, but the referee had signaled offside.
Both teams maintained their attacking mindset in the second half, but squandered several chances in front of goal.
In the second game, Taiwan are the home team. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm at the National Stadium.
The Greek basketball league finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos were suspended by the government on Monday following on-court scuffles involving rival security teams. The best-of-five series is at 1-1. The third game, scheduled for today, has been postponed. The owners of both clubs were summoned to meet with the country’s sports minister. They “will be asked to provide explicit guarantees that this situation will be brought to an end. If not, this year’s championship will be definitively canceled,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. “There can be no tolerance for such pathological phenomena of violence and delinquency.” In online posts, the owners of Panathinaikos and
‘DREAM’: The 5-0 victory was PSG’s first Champions League title, and the biggest final win by any team in the 70-year history of the top-flight European competition Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League for the first time as Luis Enrique’s brilliant young side outclassed Inter on Saturday in the most one-sided final ever with teenager Desire Doue scoring twice in an astonishing 5-0 victory. Doue supplied the pass for Achraf Hakimi to give PSG an early lead and the 19-year-old went from provider to finisher as his deflected shot doubled the advantage in the 20th minute. Doue scored again just after the hour mark, ending any doubt about the outcome before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran away to get the fourth and substitute Senny Mayulu, another teenager, made it five. Inter were
Ryan Yarbrough picked up a dazzling World Series ring from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Then he went out and beat them. The New York Yankees starter on Sunday pitched one-run ball over six innings, struck out a season-high five and blanked the Dodgers’ top four hitters in a 7-3 win. “I feel like I’m in a really good place right now and really trying to continue that,” Yarbrough said. “I’m having a lot of fun.” The 33-year-old left-hander made 44 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays last season. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July
The Crusaders yesterday produced a clinical performance in difficult conditions to beat the Queensland Reds 32-12 and claim home advantage in next week’s Super Rugby semi-finals. Lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams scored first-half tries to reward an outstanding performance from the Crusaders’ forwards in wet, slippery conditions and bitterly cold temperatures. Scrumhalf Noah Hotham defied the conditions in the second half to score a superb solo try and, after kicking a conversion and penalty to make the score 22-0 at the hour mark, flyhalf Rivez Reihana scored a try which took the game beyond the Reds. “Typical Christchurch weather, cold, wet
RSS