Since the first reports of COVID-19, all football activity in East Asia was put in doubt.
China was the first to cancel matches, followed by other countries in the region such as Japan and South Korea. Surprisingly, one league will kick off this weekend - Taiwan Premier League.
It will be played under certain restrictions, but it will be the first step on the way back to normal life. Taiwan was perhaps the first country in the world to respond to the coronavirus. Back in January, when the virus was discovered, Taiwan authorities began to conduct procedures to avoid the outbreak. They used temperature measures, and people with symptoms were sent directly to quarantine from the airports. In recent days there is a decrease in the number of newly detected cases in Taiwan. Currently, there are 380 confirmed cases.
A few weeks ago, the Chinese Taipei Football Association decided that football activities will resume, based on the current situation. It includes the start of both men’s Taiwan Premier League and women’s Taiwan Mulan Football League. A few measures will be taken in order to keep everyone healthy: Only players, officials and team members will be allowed to enter the stadiums. Health checks will also be conducted in stadiums in order to confirm that there is no infection potential. Currently, the FA decided to hold the matches without fans, and there is no estimated date for changing this resolution.
The top tier in Taiwan had a few format changes throughout the years. The current league, Taiwan Football Premier League, was established in 2017. Eight teams are playing a triple round-robin for the championship, as well as two berths for the AFC Cup. Since last season there is no automatic relegation, but the last two teams are playing in relegation playoffs.
For the last 3 seasons, the league s being dominated by one club – Tatung FC. The club is owned by Tatung electronic company, making it the oldest in Taiwan to be owned by a private company. They won 7 championships, and are now aiming for a fourth consecutive title. One of the exciting names in the club's squad is Onur Dogan, a Turkish forward starting his 9th season in Tatung. He was also naturalized in 2014 and played 19 matches for the Chinese Taipei national team.
The runner-up is Taipower, a club owned by Taiwan Power Company. They are the only club to win a continental tournament after winning the AFC President's Cup in 2011. Taipower is also the most decorated club in Taiwan with 21 championships, the last one in 2016. One of their best players is Lin Chang-Lun, who plays for the club since 2016 and also made 31 international caps for the national team.
Taiwan Steel would be a team to watch for this season. Although never too successful (4th place last season was their record), they signed Marc Fenelus over the break. Fenelus is considered one of the best foreigners in the league - the top scorer of the last three seasons with 79 league goals. He was born in Haiti, but he represents the Turks and Caicos Islands. He is the only player to play abroad in his national team squad.
Taipei Red Lions is going to make football in Taiwan a bit more Latin. The club finished at the bottom of the table but avoided relegation after winning in the playoffs. They recently signed a Chilean manager, Francisco Arce, who previously managed in the Chilean fifth tier. He brought four more players from the Chilean fourth and fifth tiers. All of them together will hope for a better season in 2020.
More players to follow:
Wu Yen-Shu – Made his international debut last year, and he is described as a promising prospect for the future. The 20-year-old midfielder plays for Hang Yuen.
Tu Shao-Chie – Another hot prospect, playing for Ming Chuan University. He was part of the U-19 squad that qualified to the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship after 44-year-drought.
Joo Ik-Seong – The South Korean striker scored 20 league goals last season and was signed by Taichung Futuro.