July 11, 2020
Taoyaun International 0-0 Taipei Bravo
Kaohsiung Yangxin 0-0 New Taipei Air Source
Hualien 5-2 Taichung Blue Whale
All matches played at the Hualien Stadium in front of a crowd of a couple of hundred people for the final match.
Leaders Hualien went into their match against second placed Taichung
Blue Whale ( who played in white and black as Hualien also play in blue ! ) on the
back on an astonishing 7-3 win over previously frugal Taipei Bravo, with the
victory being as much down taking advantage of goalkeeping errors as Wu Shi Peng’s
second consecutive hat-trick. Taichung themselves came into the match having
put 6 past Kaohsiung for their 5th consecutive win, and the match
featured the top 4 scorers in the league.
Hualien took an early lead when Shi Peng bravely headed home but took a
clattering in the process. The goal though highlighted Taichung’s aerial defensive
weaknesses. Taichung got back into the game on 30 minutes when a penalty was
awarded for a handball, which Michelle Pao confidently converted and both sides
then hit the crossbar in the period before half-time. For Hualien, Tan’s speculative
cross sailed over the keeper but hit the top of the bar, before Hou Fang Wei’s
long shot was tipped onto and over the bar by Hualien keeper Hung Lin. On the stroke of half-time Hualien regained
the lead when again Taichung failed to deal with a cross into the 6 yard box,
this time defender Chen Ya Huei bravely heading home Tan’s corner as Taichung
keeper Chen flapped at the ball.
Taichung had a good spell at the start of the second half but Hualien
extended their lead on 60 minutes when Taichung again failed to deal with Tan corner,
and Shi Peng forced home from close range for her second goal of the game.
Tan provided another assist two minutes later when she set-up Lin Kai
Ling to shoot from over 20 yards out high into the net over the hapless Chen
for 4-1.
With just under 20 minutes to play, Michelle Pao’s cross-cum-shot flew
into the far score to make it 4-2 but just to underline Taichung’s defensive
frailties, there was still time for a free-kick to be headed against their own
post, enabling Zhuo Li-Ping to force home just before the end of the match for
5-2.
One of the big differences between the two sides was the goal-keeping.
Taichung looked vulnerable every time the ball was played high into their
penalty area, and Chen did not inspire confidence. In comparison, Hualien
keeper Hung Lin looked safe and confident in dealing with crosses and generally
demonstrated sound handling throughout.
After their first two losses of the season Taipei Bravo stopped the rot
but would be disappointed with their goalless draw with Taoyuan. On the balance
of play a draw was probably a fair result but Taipei Bravo did create the best
two chances of the match. Unfortunately for them, Hsing Hui Lin put her shot horribly wide after
being put clear down the right channel in 67th minute, and from a similar
move Sin Yun Su shot straight at keeper 12 minutes later. Taoyuan are now unbeaten
in three matches and look settled in 4th place in the table.
There was little to choose between the sides in the match between the
bottom two. Although both teams attempted to play neat passing football,
chances were few and far between as Kaohsiung picked up their second point of
the season ( the other being against Hualien ! ). Both sides showed why they
have scored so few goals with New Taipei remaining on 6 and Kaohsiung on 4
goals for the season.
Having reached the halfway mark, Hualien now hold a 5 point lead at the
top of the table and remain unbeaten. The league now takes a break until August 22nd with a cup
competition being held in the meantime.
Top
Scorers
Michelle
Pao 13 Taichung
Wu Shi
Peng 12 Hualien
Lee Hsiu
Chin 8 Taichung
Tan Wen
Lin 7 Hualien
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