Taiwan’s men’s soccer team continue their bid for next year’s Olympic Games in London and a chance to play at probably the most famous stadium in the world of soccer, Wembley, which will be hosting the final, with a second-leg qualifying match against Jordan at Taipei Municipal Stadium at 7pm tonight.
In the first leg in Amman last month, Taiwan fell to a narrow 0-1 loss, so they will likely be feeling that, with the home advantage, progression in the competition is by no means out of the question.
UNDER-23
The format of the competition means both teams will field essentially an under-23 team, although teams are able to augment their squads with three players who are older than 23.
Previous to the match in Amman, Taiwan defeated Laos 5-2 in a friendly match in Kaohsiung last month and were held 1-1 by the same opposition in an away game in Vientiane.
Later this month, the full men’s international squad will travel to Kuala Lumpur for an AFC Challenge Cup qualifying competition.
Taiwan will face India at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on March 21, Turkmenistan on March 23 and Pakistan on March 25.
WOMEN’S TEAM
Meanwhile, the women’s team will also be bidding for a berth in London when they host a qualifying tournament in Kaohsiung later this month.
While the men’s Olympic competition is essentially an under-23 tournament, the women’s event is for the full national teams.
Taiwan will take on Myanmar at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung on March 18, Thailand on March 20 and Hong Kong on March 22.
They round out the competition with a final qualifying group match against Vietnam on March 27.
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