Taiwan looking to make history against Australia

Taiwan are looking forward to the visit of Australia on Tuesday and a chance to take football on the island to a whole new level.

Taiwan Football

Source: CTFA Official

The Socceroos arrive in the southern city Kaohsiung for their 2022 World Cup qualifier on top of Group B and the hot favourites with six points from two games.

That is six more than the hosts but Taiwan believe they can get off the mark and win something even more precious.

“To win would be the biggest result in Taiwan’s history, 100%,” Taiwan coach Louis Lancaster told The World Game.

“There is more than one way to win though. Whether we get one point or three, we could get something more important.

"If we make people proud then we might inspire 20,000 kids to play football and that would really make a difference.”

Taiwan, ranked 85 places below Australia's 44th spot in the world, has traditionally loved baseball more than football but there is plenty of room for the beautiful game to grow.

Socceroos and Premier League stars Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan can help.

“I told the players that before we start talking tactics and formations, we have to look at Australia as a great opportunity,” said Lancaster.

“The Taiwan players are professional or semi pro but they are playing against English Premier League players. This is a great story to tell their kids and grand kids.”

A great story but no excuse to accept defeat.

“If you are in this squad and don’t believe we can get something then you are not welcome here. It is really important. Underdogs can prove people wrong and this is the reason why football is so exciting. This is a one-off game and anything can happen.”

But Lancaster, who took the head coach position in January and is still two years away from turning forty, is being realistic.

Australia have picked up comfortable wins over Kuwait and Nepal and are odds-on to take top spot and progress to the next stage.

“Australia have players who can handle the ball. If you press then they can beat the press. We have to be really tight, block them out and be ruthless with the possession we have," he said.

"In modern football the trend is that the team with the most possession is not winning games, the game is about transition and being efficient in possession. With the 25-30% possession we get, we have to use it well.”

Taiwan, who were not in action last week and have been training for two weeks, are looking for their first points in the group after losing at home to Jordan and Nepal, 2-1 and 2-0 respectively.

“We controlled the game against Nepal but were not ruthless enough," said Lancaster.

"That game was a real kick in the teeth but we have to react now.”

All is not lost and there are plenty of examples to inspire his squad.

“I just want the players to express themselves and not be afraid. Look at Wolves winning at Manchester City, Leicester winning the Premier League and Greece winning the Euros.

“We have to believe, if we don’t then what is the point?”


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3 min read
Published 12 October 2019 1:50pm
By John Duerden

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