Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Taipei: Lin Chih-hung’s 39th minute goal gave Chinese Taipei a lifeline as the host nation claimed a 5-4 win over Malaysia to top Group A of the AFC Futsal Championship on Saturday.
Chinese Taipei had taken a two-goal lead going into the break, but Malaysia came back from 4-1 down to draw level only for Chih-hung to seal the win in the final seconds of the match.
It was a win Chinese Taipei needed, after having opened with a 2-2 draw with Bahrain while for Malaysia - who beat Vietnam 2-1 on Matchday 1, qualification to the last eight is still in their hands as they play Bahrain in their final match on Monday.
After enjoying an opening day win, Malaysia started patiently, taking their time to move down the final third, but Chinese Taipei did well to intercept their passes and react on the counter.
In one such instance in the eight minute, Lin Chien-hsun surged down the right flank and unleashed a shot which struck the bar, but Lai Ming-hui latched onto the rebound and made no mistake from close range to give Chinese Taipei the lead.
Chih-hung doubled their advantage with a superb strike in the 13th minute, and Chinese Taipei were given another chance when goalkeeper Azrul Hadee Taufiq committed a back pass foul two minutes later, but Huang Po-chun failed to convert the indirect free kick.