AFC Challenge League
The topsy-turvy match saw the lead changing hands three times before Tainan eventually secured the win that meant both them and Myanmar’s Shan United are already through to the knockout stage ahead of their meeting on Friday to determine the group winners.
Young Elephants put the Tainan City goalkeeper to the test early on with a couple of long range strikes, Kittisak Phomvongsa’s effort needed Pan Wen-chieh’s intervention while Phouthone Innalay’s shot was just wide.
The Chinese Taipei side, playing their first game in the group, grew stronger as the half went on with Chen Jui-chieh finding space on the left but his shot from a tight angle was well covered by Anoulak Vilaphonh.
Vilaphonh produced another good stop in the 25th minute to deny Antonio Gamaroni from close range but the ball was recycled back into the box immediately for Mauricio Cortes, who smashed home at the near post to give Tainan the lead.
The woodwork came to Tainan’s rescue twice as Young Elephants pushed for the equaliser, Saveliy Abramov rattled the crossbar in the 33rd minute before Takumu Nishihara hit the post seven minutes later.
Young Elephants emerged for the second half in determined fashion and found themselves back on level pegging within three minutes when half-time substitute Brylian Aldama’s powerful low shot slipped through Pan’s grasp.
The Indonesian midfielder struck again two minutes later, timing his run into the box to perfection to finish off a brilliant solo run from captain Kydavone Souvanny down the left channel.
Tainan shrugged off the shock of seeing their lead overturned to play themselves back into contention, capitalising on a half-cleared free-kick with Kim Sung-kyum knocking in the rebound to make it 2-2 on the hour mark.
The match turned on its head again in the 70th minute as Tainan regained their lead when Gamaroni reacted quickest to turn in a sharp low cross from Chen, with Tainan not relinquishing their advantage till the final whistle.
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