Taipei Times
Date: Nov 17, 2018
By: Jason Pan  /  Staff reporter

Taiwan yesterday lost 2-0 in a battle with East Asian Football Federation Championship favorites North Korea, with the result sending Hong Kong, who crushed Mongolia 5-1 earlier in the day, to the top of the group and advancing to the next round.

Due to the outcome of the afternoon match, North Korea faced the hosts in the evening match at Taipei Municipal Stadium knowing that they had to win by at least three goals to win the group and advance, but Taiwan’s defense and goalkeeper Pan Wen-chieh kept the visitors scoreless in the first half.

North Korea were on the offensive with urgency throughout the contest, as Pan was kept busy making saves.

Three minutes after the intermission, North Korea striker Jong Il-gwan fired in a shot to open the account and his teammates kept up the pressure in search of a second goal.    [FULL  STORY]