Taiwan scored two goals in injury time to beat Bahrain 2-1 in their Group ‘E’ match of the Asian Cup 2019 qualifying round played at Taipei Stadium yesterday.
Bahrain’s goal was scored by Ismael Abdullatif in the 18th minute, while Taiwan’s scorers were P. Chen and En-Le Chu in the 90th and 92nd minutes respectively.
Bahrain remain on top of the group with seven points, while Taiwan move to third with six points.
In another Group ‘E’ match, Turkmenistan defeated Singapore 2-1 in Ashgabad. Turkmenistan have seven points but are in second place on goal difference, while Singapore remain with two points.
Bahrain needed a win to seal a berth in the Asian Cup 2019 finals in the UAE, but yesterday’s defeat has postponed their qualification. They have two more games – an away match against Singapore next month and a home match against Turkmenistan in March next year. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the finals.
Bahrain scored first in the 18th minute, converting a penalty kick after Mahdi Abduljabbar was tackled inside Taiwan’s penalty area. Ismael Abdullatif scored the opener to lead 1-0.
Taiwan seized control after Bahrain’s goal, but wasted a number of opportunities to equalise as the first half ended 1-0.
Taiwan’s chance to score the equaliser in the first minutes of the second half was foiled when Chen Huang’s shot was saved by Bahrain’s goalkeeper Sayed Mohsin Ali.
A few minutes later, Bahrain saw their attempt to extend the lead thwarted when Mahdi Abduljabbar’s shot inside the penalty area was saved by Taiwan’s goalkeeper.
Taiwan finally scored the equaliser in the final minute of the game, scored by captain P. Chen. Two minutes into the injury time, Taiwan shocked Bahrain with a second goal, scored by En-Le Chen to lead his team to victory.
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