The Taiwan women’s soccer team yesterday mounted a big comeback in the second half of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) women’s Olympic qualifier to defeat the Philippines 4-2 in Doha.
Taiwan topped Group C of Asia’s second-round qualifier for the Tokyo Olympic Games with two wins, ahead of powerhouse Iran, who have a 1-1 record.
The Philippines were the better side in the first half at the Grand Hamad Stadium, going in front on goals by Joyce Semacio and Patricia Tomanon, with Taiwan having to play catch-up.
Photo courtesy of the AFC Web site
Just before halftime, Taiwan were awarded a penalty-kick after illegal contact by the Philippine defense during a corner kick. Michelle Pao dispatched the ball to the upper right of the net, cutting the lead.
Taiwan came out fighting in the second half. Their constant pressure on the opposition resulted in two own-goals by Philippine defenders in the 48th and 63rd minutes.
In the final minutes, forward Ting Chi received a pass, pushed past her marker and found the net with a low drive from just inside the box to grab the win.
In the other Group C match yesterday, Iran — the favorites — showed no mercy as they netted four times in the first half and went on to chip in five more goals to trounce Palestine 9-0 in Al Wakrah, Qatar.
In the Group C opener on Wednesday last week, Taiwan forward Chou Li-ping put her side ahead in the first half, and goals from midfielder Wang Hsiang-huei and second-half substitute Ting allowed them to solidly beat Palestine 3-0. Iran suffered an upset, falling to the Philippines 2-0.
After two rounds, Taiwan sit at the top of Group C, followed by Iran and the Philippines with a win each, and Palestine at the bottom on two losses.
If Taiwan can draw or win in their final game against Iran tomorrow, then they would advance into the third round as a top-place finisher.
“Our team enjoyed a big win today and we have the confidence to advance into the next round,” Taiwan’s Japanese head coach Kazuo Echigo said after the game. “We are as good as Iran, we can match up to them in all departments... Our team will not play defensively. We will face Iran head-on with an attacking game.”
In the AFC Cup club competition, Taiwan’s Hang Yuen hosted North Korean champions April 25 in the Group I opener at the Hsinchu County Stadium on Wednesday last week.
The Pyongyang-based side hit their stride on goals from O Hyok-chol and Son Pyong-il in the first half, and Kim Yu-song netted in stoppage time for April 25 to shut out Hang Yuen 3-0.
Two Hong Kong teams faced each other at the Mongkok Stadium in Kowloon in the other Group I contest last week, with Wofoo Tai Po prevailing 4-2 over Kitchee.
Hang Yuen are to head to Hong Kong to face Wofoo Tai Po in two weeks’ time and April 25 are to host Kitchee in Pyongyang for their second group match.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
RSS