Coronavirus Times: All Equal in Taichung

In a few weeks, the Taiwan Premier League will no longer be the only competition active in the East Asian region.

The South Korean K League has recently announced May 8th as their restart day, after taking over the coronavirus in the country.

Nevertheless, the TFPL will keep attracting football fans from all around the globe, as it is still among the very few active football scenes.

Taichung FUTURO vs Tatung FC

On Sunday, Taichung FUTURO hosted defending champions Tatung FC. In their previous match, FUTURO drew against Hang Yuen and extended their unbeaten run since the beginning of the season. Tatung, on the other hand, surprisingly lost to Taipower 3-2 in a fascinating season-opener but returned to their usual form by hammering Taipei Red Lions 4-0.  

Proving their unbeaten streak is not a coincidence, FUTURO opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Chen Ting-yang, the captain, headed a corner taken by Keita Yamauchi from the right flank. Tatung could have equalised in the 37th minute, but Ange Samuel was caught offside, and his goal was disallowed.  

Samuel, however, got his reward at the beginning of the second half. The Ivorian showed his skills to beat three defenders, struck with his left foot to the left post and in. 1-1. 

However, FUTURO didn’t let Tatung get back in the match so easily. Chen Chi-Wei confidently scored the second for his team when Joo Ik-Seong’s pass again found him free to notch the ball to the back of the net. 

FUTURO conceded in the 76th minute in a similar scenario. Hirokami Harada, Tatung’s substitute, found Chang Hao-Wei on the tip of the box, and the latter then sent an accurate ball into the goal and made it two-all. Both teams sought opportunities, but either one couldn’t get the third. The final score was 2-2.

Other Notable Matches:

TFPL

Hang Yuen 2-0 NTUS

Ming Chuan 0-2 Taipower

Taiwan Steel 3-2 Red Lions

TMFL (Taiwanese Mulan Women’s League)

Kaohsiung Sunny Bank 0-1 Inter Taoyuan

Hualien 2-1 Hang Yuen

Taichung Blue Whale 0-1 Taipei Bravo