In October of this year Taiwan played host to 12 of the world's finest women's soccer teams, for 2 weeks of first-caliber, action filled competition. Meeting in 49 games in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, the foreign women were joined by two Taiwan teams, Liang Yu and Mulan, the latter this year's All Asia Champion.
At the end of the two weeks the superb West German Team took top honors, with New Zealand and Taiwan-Mulan taking second and third, respectively. All of the women, though, left Taiwan as winners, after 2 weeks of making friends, enjoying Chinese hospitality, and exchanging soccer skills and ideas.
Other tournament teams hailed from India, France, the U.S.A., Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the Philippines, Thailand, and Haiti.
The tournament coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Republic of China. Team members were invited to enjoy and participate in many of the festivities. It was the third time Taiwan had sponsored an international women's soccer tournament, and owing to the previous experiences this year's 49 games went off without a hitch. The tournament was opened on the night of October 11th at Taipei Stadium by General We-go Chiang, head of the Taiwan Soccer Federation. In attendance were officials representing regional soccer federations from Malaysia, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as well as from the countries that sent team entries.
The first game saw Taiwan-Mulan overpower the Philippines girls 14 to 0.
But Mulan later gave way and a tenacious West German team took first. The Mulan team tied with New Zealand in the win-loss record, but a higher total points scored won New Zealand second place.
Norway was fourth, followed by Finland, Switzerland, and Holland.
After the final game each player received souvenirs of participation and of the visit to the ROC. The players exchanged gifts and souvenirs along with addresses well into the night, and each player showed her appreciation for the friendliness of the people of the Republic of China.
In recognition of the enthusiasm for soccer in Taiwan, this year the games were shared by the three largest cities on Taiwan. In the final matches, held in Taichung, over 30,000 people cheered the home team. In the future it is hoped that important matches will regularly be played around the island, in appreciation of the enthusiasm for soccer throughout the ROC.
The Soccer Federation estimates that at least 300,000 fans attended the 49 matches. The 12-day tournament, while not officially sanctioned by the International Soccer Federation, was attended by international officials, who gave their guidance and full approval, saying that the tournament maintained international standards in every way, including the level of play.
Attainment of international standards of competitiveness by the women's teams is a mark not yet reached in men's soccer. The ROC women play smooth, aggressive games featuring skillful ball handling and a mature cooperativeness on the field. Local soccer experts hope this superior level of play by the women will spur the men's teams toward the same goal, elevating the ROC's overall reputation in world soccer.
[Picture Caption]
Left: The Taiwan-Mulan team in white and blue playing the Swiss team during the soccer tournament held Oct 17. Top: Taiwan-Mulan beat Norway 3-0. Bottom: The match between Taiwan-Mulan (in red and white) and West Germany on Oct. 20 ended in a 1-1, draw. Right: On Oct. 17 the New Zealand team beat Norway 4-0.
Closing ceremonies for the Women's International Soccer Tournament held in Taipei Oct. 22. 1. The winners of the tournament, West Germany. 2. The New Zealand team came second. 3. The Taiwan-Mulan team took third place. 4. In the Taiwan-Mulan vs. Switzerland match on Oct. 17, the scorer of the local team's only goal is helped to her feet by a teammate. 5. Despite the rain many soccer fans turned out for the tournament.
Taiwan-Mulan beat Norway 3-0.
The match between Taiwan-Mulan （in red and white） and West Germany on Oct. 20 ended in a 1-1, draw.
On Oct. 17 the New Zealand team beat Norway 4-0.
The winners of the tournament, West Germany.
The New Zealand team came second.
he Taiwan-Mulan team took third place.
Despite the rain many soccer fans turned out for the tournament.
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