Sometimes all it takes is one game to change a team’s entire outlook. Only time will tell but last night’s 1-0 away victory over the Philippines might just be the result that does it for the Mulan.

The plaudits will go to Saki Matsunaga for scoring the vital goal but the overall performance from the entire women’s playing roster was genuinely encouraging. Critically, the team can also move on from a five game losing streak and the embarrassing cancelation of the women’s first home game since 2019.

Although the opening phases were ugly, it was obvious that Taiwan had a clearly defined game plan. Defensively, they were relentless and utilized a high pressing style that resulted in the Filipinas being chased all around the field.

Amid the high-stakes pressing, eventually the hosts were caught lacking. Having trapped the Philippines inside their own penalty box, the only logical pass that keeper Olivia McDaniel could make was a short-ball through the middle to Sara Eggesvik. Sensing this, Matsunaga rushed forward to make the tackle and with Taiwan’s players cutting off all the passing lanes, Eggesvik had nowhere to go.

Within the blink of an eye, Matsunaga had not only stolen the ball but found herself one-on-one with McDaniel. The finish itself was composed, as Matsunaga sent the keeper the wrong way and cooly rolled the ball into the corner of the net.

The goal was easily the highlight from the first half and Taiwan went to the dressing room looking confident. They were the better side on the field and were spooking the Philippines with their pressing and aggression.

That mentality continued after the break as Taiwan continued to play firmly but fairly. A snapping tackle by Matsunaga on Eggesvik (who else, right?) was followed a few minutes later by Zeng Yun-ya sending Chase Ying tumbling to the ground after a crunching challenge. It was hard stuff but Taiwan looked determined to force their will onto their opponents.

With sixty minutes on the clock, Taiwan should have doubled their lead when a long-ball over the top sent Chen Yu-zhen clean through on goal. However, the winger’s sloppy first touch allowed Katana Norman to get her foot to the ball before falling over herself. With the defender on the ground, Chen still had time for another shot only for McDonald to make a close-range save.

Although the Philippines got the ball out their penalty box after denying Chen, Taiwan immediately went back on the attack. This time, the Mulan played a series of tight, accurate passes down the right before Xu Yi-yun hit the bar with a shot from thirty-yards out.

A couple of minutes later, Taiwan were awarded a free kick about thirty-ish yards away from the opposing goal. With Xu lining up as if she was going to shoot, the Philippines took the bait and lost track of the Taiwanese players trying to make an off-the-ball run.

Instead, Xu chipped the ball over and away from the defensive wall for Su Xin-yun to run onto. With the entire Philippines team left flat-footed, Su’s cross was headed home by Huang Ke-xin from close range.

It was a perfectly executed trick play that should have counted but the lineswoman ruled that Su was offside. Replies showed that the Taiwanese player was played on by Janae Defazio but with VAR not in effect, the incorrect decision was allowed to stand and Taiwan were denied a deserved second goal.

However, any ill-feeling towards the officials was cancelled out in the 80th minute after Defazio appeared to be fouled in the box by Ting Chi as the former tried to shoot. A penalty would have been harsh on Taiwan, who had dominated the game up to that point and continued to do so until the final whistle.

Indeed, as was the case in the first half, the Philippines could not come to terms with Taiwan’s aggressive approach. Tempers were fraying and at one point, Eggesik pleaded with the referee to start showing yellow cards to the Taiwanese players. On another occasion, the referee herself appeared to gesture at the home team to calm down and stop complaining.

It was not a pretty game but when the final whistle blew, Taiwan’s players were visibly delighted. On paper, this was a contest that the Philippines should have won. Not only were they the higher ranked team, they were playing at home with a starting line-up that featured a number of players from professional leagues in Europe and North America.

But instead, Taiwan’s fluid counter-attacks and high-pressing tactics had stymied the more technically gifted home side. With a trio of must-win AFC games coming up at the end of June, results like this suggest Taiwan remain a competitive side in the region and capable of grinding out results in hostile territory.

Chan Hiu Ming, Taiwan’s manager, was similarly delighted in the aftermath. Citing the difficulty of building a team with this kind of defensive intensity, he also stated that the Philippines victory proved that the Mulan could play in this fashion– and more importantly– get wins along the way.

Chan may well be right and if Taiwan can put together a winning streak, all the agony of the last few months will have been worth it.

Photo Credit: Rapler Sports