By Mahir Pradana
Translated by Budy D.
We did not really know many things about Taiwan’s football development, but, in the last few months, the fans there are excited because of Will Donkin. The player who now plays for Crystal Palace is the hottest topic within Taiwanese supporters. He is still not playing for the first team yet, but Donkin is regarded to be the key player who will revive Chinese Taipei on the international scale.
“He is just 17, but he has great talent,” said the Chinese Taipei head coach Gary White to Sky Sports.
Donkin, who plays as an attacking midfielder, got his debut with Chinese Taipei back in September 2017. After that, he gains White’s trust and gets to play in his squad as one of the midfielders, including when the team won from Singapore in the last match of Asian Cup 2019 qualification.
“He is not in the starter yet, but if he keeps training well, he will get his chance to play against Singapore later,” added White.
Will Donkin was a part of Chelsea’s academy and he now plays with Crystal Palace U-18. His popularity reaches its peak when he plays for the national team. He becomes a star in his own country. He is not getting many chances to play for Chinese Taipei yet, but he is expected to become White’s trump card in Asian Games 2018.
With the new talents like Donkin, it is not impossible for Chinese Taipei to break into the best 100 team in the world. The fans are excited to give their support for the national team and the future project of Chinese Taipei’s football development because of Donkin, even though he was born in Oxford, England. He also makes a way for other young players, who play in England’s competition, to play for Chinese Taipei.