The coach of Taiwan women’s futsal squad is making final preparations and assessing players for selection ahead of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Futsal Championship in Thailand next month.
“We have introduced some new concepts during training and the players are improving their teamwork,” head coach Chang Yao-ming said yesterday.
Chang is being helped by experienced Brazilian assistant coach Adil Amarante after officials extended his contract to work with the women’s team after he oversaw the men’s team last year.
Taiwan’s women on Sunday played Macau in a friendly and picked up an impressive 4-0 win, after which Chang said he is confident of getting good results against group opponents Vietnam, Malaysia and Bangladesh when the competition starts on May 2.
Meanwhile, in the Taiwan Mulan Football League, Taipei PlayOne striker Chen Yen-ping on Saturday fired a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Inter Taipei at Fu Jen Catholic University in New Taipei City.
The other match saw veteran Li Hsiu-chin grab a brace and new signing Michelle Pao score on her debut to lead Taichung Blue Whale over Hualien City 5-1.
In the men’s Taiwan Football Premier League, fans on Sunday were treated to a rousing performance in the nightcap, when Taipei’s Tatung, the reigning champions, took on Tainan City, the bottom-placed finishers last season with only two wins, at the Taipei Municipal Stadium.
Tainan City surprisingly took the lead in the 13th minute from a corner-kick, which striker Wu Chun-ching lashed home after a weak attempt at a clearance.
Turks and Caicos Islands forward Marc Fenelus sent a low cross into teammate Onur Dogan, who fired in the equalizer in the 31st minute.
Tainan City put on a staunch defensive display as the score remained 1-1 late into the game, but Tatung eventually prevailed 10 minutes from time when Fenelus, last season’s winner of the Golden Boot with 35 goals, slotted home from close range.
In other matches, National Sports Training Center battled to a 1-1 draw with Taiwan Sports University of Taichung, Hang Yuen blanked Royal Blues 2-0 and Kaohsiung’s Taipower defeated newcomers Taicheng Lions 2-1.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and