Tainan City Steel 1-3 Borneo FC Samarinda: Away side earn impressive AFC Challenge League win

Borneo FC Samarinda delivered a strong away performance in the AFC Challenge League, defeating Tainan City Steel 3-1 at Tainan Municipal Stadium on 21 October 2026. The Indonesian side combined aggressive pressing with sharp transitions and pulled away in the second half after an evenly contested opening period.

Tainan City Steel stayed competitive for long stretches, but Borneo’s superior intensity in midfield and greater cutting edge in the final third proved decisive.

Match overview

Competition: AFC Challenge League
Result: Tainan City Steel 1-3 Borneo FC Samarinda
Venue: Tainan Municipal Stadium
Date: 21 October 2026

Key moments

• 18’ – Borneo strike first: Terens Puhiri intercepted a loose pass and drove forward before finishing confidently.
• 39’ – Tainan level: Chen Jui-chieh headed in from a corner to reward the hosts’ improved spell.
• 63’ – Borneo regain the lead: Fajar Fathur Rahman found space on the edge of the box and guided a low effort into the corner.
• 82’ – Penalty seals it: Stefano Lilipaly converted from the spot after a handball inside the area.

Tactical story

Borneo FC Samarinda lined up with an energetic 4-3-3 and looked to force mistakes in Tainan’s build-up. Their front three pressed in coordination, while the midfield protected the space behind the initial press. That approach paid off early when Terens Puhiri punished a misplaced pass.

Tainan responded well after conceding, using set pieces to create problems and equalising through Chen Jui-chieh’s header. However, the hosts struggled to sustain momentum after half-time. Borneo adjusted by playing more directly through the channels and increased their control of second balls. Once Fajar Fathur Rahman restored the lead, the visitors managed the game maturely and secured the points through Lilipaly’s late penalty.

Standout performers

Terens Puhiri was a constant threat with his pace and direct running, while Fajar Fathur Rahman’s second-half goal highlighted his ability to arrive in dangerous areas. Stefano Lilipaly’s composure from the penalty spot capped a disciplined team performance. Tainan City Steel goalkeeper Pan Wen-chieh made several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable, and Chen Jui-chieh was their most dangerous attacking outlet.

What the result means

The away victory gives Borneo FC Samarinda a valuable three points in the AFC Challenge League group phase and strengthens their momentum in continental competition. For Tainan City Steel, the defeat leaves them with work to do in the standings, though their first-half response showed enough promise to suggest they can remain competitive in the campaign.