A lively start to the match at Kaohsiung Nanzih Football Stadium saw the away side getting their first shot on target in the 13th minute after Iran Junior was played through on the left but his attempt from an acute angle was blocked by Tainan keeper Pan Wen-Chieh.

Tainan carried a threat through Mohammed Sakkouh’s range of passing in midfield, his through ball in the 22nd minute took out the entire Madura defence but Matheus Silva was a step too late in making contact.

The Chinese Taipei side went close nine minutes before half time after Madura struggled to clear Kuo Po-Wei’s long throw with Silva firing a low shot that was claimed by Miswar Saputra as the sides went into the break still looking for the breakthrough.

Madura, battling relegation domestically, sought the opener after the interval with Colombian Brayan Angulo’s rasping drive in the 62nd minute bringing out a superb save from Pan.

Despite lacking match fitness, Tainan battled valiantly in the remaining minutes to keep Madura at bay to leave the tie hanging in the balance.