Despite flashes of promise, Taiwan lost on the road to Turkmenistan in their penultimate game of the AFC qualification rounds. A goal from Ange Koumare and some fantastic saves from Hsuan Tuan made life difficult but the home side’s quality ultimately overwhelmed a much improved Blue Wings roster.

Although Taiwan retained the 4-3-3 formation from their last three games, new coach Mathew Ross had also made several changes. Star striker Koumare returned to the starting line-up after a six month absence, as did fellow overseas-based players Miguel Sandburg and Emilio Estevez. Meanwhile, Hsuan Tuan started in goal for the first time, having spent the previous six years as the back-up to Pan Wen-Chieh and then Huang Chiu-lin.

The game itself was high drama for many reasons. From a footballing perspective, the Turkmens needed a win to keep pace with Thailand following the latter’s 4-0 victory earlier that night against Sri Lanka.

But the spectacle in the stands was also fascinating. Arkadag, the southern city where the game was based, is a pet-project of the country’s authoritarian president and was only built six years earlier. The stadium was filled to capacity, with thousands of carefully choreographed supporters in each stand. As the players entered the field, it was an impressive sight to behold.

There were chances for both sides once the game got underway but Turkmenistan struck first when winger Welmyrat Ballakow cut inside from the left flank, jinked his way past two Taiwanese defenders and fired past Hsuan.

It was a genuinely impressive goal but Taiwan continued to push back. The Turkmen’s pressing, physical style was relentless and building any momentum was hard. But when they could break through the middle of the field, Taiwan’s forward line of Kouame, Sandburg and Jhon Benchy were giving the opposing backline all they could handle.

It was from one of these jailbreaks that Taiwan equalized. Having given up a foul near the left-hand sideline, Turkmenistan’s defenders lost focus as the subsequent free kick was whipped into the box. Realizing what was happening, Kouame showed some deft footwork to escape his marker before volleying home with the outside of his boot.

With their AFC qualification chances in real danger, Turkmenistan came out for the second half like a boxer needing a knockout. Almost immediately, Hsuan was forced to make an excellent save from Didar Durdyýew.

But the danger felt ever present for Taiwan, who were defending deep amid intense Turkmen pressure. Eventually, the home side reclaimed the lead, although it relied upon another moment of magic. Elman Tagaýew probably won’t score a better goal for his country, and his shot from about twenty-yards out curled wickedly in the air before finding its way past Hsuan and into the top corner.

With thirty minutes left to play, both sides continued to pour forward. Taiwan believed they could find another tying goal whereas Turkmenistan could only relax once they’d put a third past the pesky visitors.

Amid this cat-and-mouse game, the former finally got their decisive goal with twelve minutes left. Having thrown almost every man forward, a Taiwanese turnover on the halfway line allowed Turkmenistan to take the ball the other way. Tagaýew had done most of the hard work but he sportingly played the ball off to Altymyrat Annadurdyýew, whose powerful strike from close range decisively put the game out of reach.

Taiwan had fought hard and showed what they could do with a mostly full-strength side. It had taken two wonder goals and a clinical counterattack to dispatch them, and they will now hope to achieve a victory in their final group game against Sri Lanka in March.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan– now tied on points for first place with Thailand– will have a winner takes all match to decide who qualifies from the group.

Photo Credit: Asian Football Federation