An understrength Taiwan side battled hard but were overwhelmed by their hosts in their latest AFC Cup qualifying fixture. In Huang Che-ming’s first competitive game in charge, the Blue Wings showed flashes of potential but Thailand were simply too good to be shut out completely.

Lining up in a deep-lying 4-3-3, Huang opted for a starting line-up made up almost entirely of players in Taiwan’s domestic league. Captain Chen Po-liang, who arrived late to training camp due to his commitments for his Chinese club, was the sole overseas based starter. Meanwhile, Chris Tiao (New York City FC) and Yuan Yung-Cheng (Ribarroja CF in Spain) were on the bench.

For most of the first half, Taiwan sat deep and tried to catch their hosts on the counter via the pace of striker, Jhon Benchy.

Even then, there were still moments of real danger for the Blue Wings. Thailand should have taken the lead but Thitiphan Puangchan blazed over from close range after a mental error from Zhao Wei-jie completely opened up Taiwan’s defense. But for the most part, Taiwan were sticking to their plan and were able to go in at the break without conceeding.

The second half, however, would be more chaotic. Within minutes of the restart, Huang Chiu-lin was forced to rush off his line and make an excellent save with his legs to deny Nicholas Mickelson.

The opening Thailand goal felt inevitable and it arrived soon enough when Supachok Sarachat’s inch perfect cross was headed home by Seksan Ratree.

Even with the lead, Thailand knew they needed a second goal to put the game beyond doubt. But unfortunately for Thailand, the ball kept falling to the wrong player. Indeed, the snake-bitten Puangchan first headed a cross narrowly over the bar and then fired wide a few minutes later after another excellent pass from Ratree.

Thailand finally doubled their lead with eleven minutes left to play. An indirect free kick was headed across goal and Chanathip Songkrasin volleyed firmly into the bottom corner. The diminutive playmaker celebrated by making a ‘night night’ gesture to the home crowd. As far as the Thais were concerned, the game was over now.

Taiwan also seemed more relaxed and with the game drifting into injury time, the Blue Wings came close to getting a goal themselves.

Firstly, the irrepressible Benchy almost scored from fifty yards after goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai recklessly rushed up the field and then fluffed a defensive clearance. Yuan Yung-Cheng, who had entered the game as a substitute, then fired a shot that went narrowly wide of Khammai’s right post. It was a welcome flurry of blows but it was all too little, too late.

Photo Credit: Asian Football Confederation