Crystal Palace fans excited as academy star Will Donkin, 16, makes international debut
CRYSTAL PALACE fans may be thinking they have a future star on their after one their academy stars became a full international at the age of 16.
Will Donkin, who has yet to make a first team appearance, represented Chinese Taipei in a crunch Asian Cup qualifier.
Chinese Tapei — who represent the nation of Taiwan — are managed by English coach Gary White, and recently reached their highest Fifa world ranking of 143.
Donkin was eligible through his mother, who is Taiwanese, while his father was born in London.
He signed from Chelsea at the end of last season and has made three U-18 appearances, despite not turning 17 for another month.
Donkin's international bow did not go too well as Chinese Taipei lost 2-1 to Turkmenistan in the crunch Asian Cup qualifier.
Donkin came on for the final five minutes when he replaced Po-An Hsieh with his side 2-0 down.
They managed to pull one back through a Po-liang Chen penalty two minutes from time.
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But it was not enough and the defeat means they fail to qualify for the final stages.
Some Palace fans have affectionately taken to labelling him the "Taiwanese Messi".
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