TUW Azarganuu advanced past the preliminary round of the AFC Challenge League after a 2-2 draw with Tainan City, settled by a penalty shootout. The Mongolian side converted eight of nine spot-kicks, while their opponents missed once. The result extends TUW's continental campaign and sends Tainan City home for the season.
Regulation time read like a roller-coaster. Tainan City took the lead in the 64th minute before TUW equalised 12 minutes later. The hosts struck again in the 83rd, only for their visitors to respond at 90+3 to level the score. Both sides had chances, but neither could find a winner before the whistle.
Extra time produced nothing, so the tie went to penalties. The first pair saw one side miss while the other scored, setting up a tense finish. After four rounds of conversions each, the fifth kick clinched it. The away end never stopped, even as their team ground out the win.
TUW Azarganuu arrived in decent form, with a 2-2 draw against Hangarid and a 3-2 win over Ulan-Bator in their last five outings. Tainan City had won three of their previous five, including a 4-2 victory over Taipei Rock, but could not hold on. The penalty miss proved costly.
The shootout figures tell the story: eight goals from nine attempts for the visitors, one miss for the hosts. The goal difference in the tie remains level, but the progression is clear. TUW Azarganuu move forward; Tainan City's campaign ends here.
