In an unexpected twist at the Wenzhou Sports Olympic Centre Stadium on Thursday, September 21, the Indian women's football team put up a commendable fight against the 38th-ranked Chinese Taipei in their inaugural match of Asian Games 2023. The spirited Indians, despite being the underdogs, took a commendable lead in the 47th minute, thanks to a stellar goal by Anju Tamang. However, Chinese Taipei demonstrated their mettle by overturning the scoreline through goals from substitutes Lai Li-Chin (69') and Su Yu-Hsuan (84').
The Indian squad, already grappling with the absence of their star goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan due to injury, had Shreyas Hooda guarding the goalpost. Hooda's performance was noteworthy for the most part, but a lapse in the dying minutes paved the way for Chinese Taipei's clinching goal. With Tamang making continuous runs down the right flank and showcasing her playmaking skills, she emerged as India's standout player for the match. Conversely, star striker Bala Devi, usually a vital cog for India, found it challenging to leave a mark in her primary position.
Despite the injury setback, Head Coach Thomas Dennerby went with a full-throttle approach, fielding an almost full-strength XI. The motive was clear: to kick off their Asian Games journey on a high note in Hangzhou. Even though historical data suggested a Chinese Taipei advantage, India turned the tables by predominantly controlling the game's tempo. The midfield duo of Dangmei Grance and Indumathi Kathiresan relentlessly created opportunities, putting the opponent's defense under constant pressure.
The breakthrough for India materialized early in the second half. Tamang, after making a dashing run into the box, attempted to set up Bala Devi. Despite the latter's inability to get the finishing touch and Chinese Taipei's goalie, Ming Jung, faltering on the first save, Tamang was swift to pounce on the rebound, propelling India into the lead.
In an attempt to shift gears, Chinese Taipei introduced Lai Li-Chin and Su Yu-Hsuan post half-time. Their impact was immediate and transformative. Lai Li-Chin, with her impeccable free-kick technique, managed to level the scores in the 69th minute. The winning goal for Chinese Taipei, however, came from a solo brilliance by Su, further accentuated by an unfortunate error from Hooda.
This match, characterized by India's remarkable resilience and Chinese Taipei's comeback prowess, sets an exciting tone for the football saga that will unfold in the Asian Games 2023.
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