Malawi’s Under-15 side roared back from a goal down to beat Chinese Taipei 3-2 in their opening Group B match at the FIFA Under-15 World Cup, and the Junior Flames have started the tournament in spectacular style.
Chinese Taipei struck first in the ninth minute through Hung-Yang Huang, and the early setback could have rattled a lesser team. Instead, Malawi hit back. Maluwe levelled in the 16th minute and then completed his brace a minute later at the Hovsan Competition Complex.
The Ascent Academy forward came close to a hat-trick before half-time, hitting the post as Malawi took control of the game.
Nyirenda then made it 3-1 in the 23rd minute. He reacted quickly to a corner that had only been partially cleared and fired home, his first goal in three appearances for the team.
Chinese Taipei hauled one back through Shan-Hao Yang in the 33rd minute, setting up a nervous finish, but the Malawians held firm to the final whistle.
Coach Joseph Malizani hailed the result as crucial. “First match determines the whole tournament, and a win to us is a bonus,” he said. “As I said, we are here to show the world what we can do.”
Malizani said his side had used their pace on both wings to unsettle the opposition. “They know what to do with the ball, mainly in the wings,” he said. “We were attacking mainly on left and right wings where our players have speed.”
There was no time for celebrations to linger, however. The coach warned that his players have little time to recover before their next games.
“We know next game it will be difficult because they know what we are capable of,” he said. “Now after the opening match, there is no time to rest.”
The Junior Flames face Oman and Suriname on Sunday before wrapping up their group fixtures against Algeria and Argentina on Monday. After this winning start, the boys in pink will be dreaming of more.
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