"AFC Champions League" once stalled and wanted to give up on the previous team. The Taiwanese team's victorious fireball man confessed to the Japanese coach who left the team.

Zhang Chengen. (provided by secondary vocational school)

[Special Correspondent Gong Nai J/Reporting from Tokyo, Japan] Zhang Chengen, who was selected as a substitute for the Taiwanese team in the AFC Champions League, welcomed the national team jersey for the first time today. Even if he encountered a crisis with people at second and third base in the 6th inning, he defeated Brent Iredale. He soared 3 fireballs over 150 kilometers, and even broke the season's fastest record with 151 kilometers. He continued to pitch 7 innings without losing a point, and completed 2K in 2 consecutive innings to complete his amazing international debut.

Talking about the head-to-head confrontation with Iredale, Zhang Chengen said bluntly, "Take out your best weapon, because 1 good and 3 bad walks doesn't look good, and there is no one on first base, so you can concentrate on fighting the batter."

In 2023, Zhang Chengen graduated from Kaoyuan Industrial and Commercial College and was selected in the third round of the draft by Taipei Steel. He played guerrilla at Kaoyuan and did not practice pitching until his senior year. He originally joined as a fielder during the draft, but suddenly suffered from "striking amnesia". In June 2024, he took the initiative to propose to the coaching staff to quit playing and focus on pitching. In 2025, he and Lin Shixiang formed the strongest defensive line in the 8th and 9th innings.

However, Zhang Chengen was disturbed by a shoulder injury after playing 41 games in a single season. He once suffered from stalling. The original fastest speed of 152 kilometers in his secondary school career was left with 138 and 139 kilometers. He said: "No matter how fast I lose, it is still at this speed." This year, before the 831 registration limit, he regarded the second-team competition in Douliu on August 29 as a final exam. "I gave it a try, and unexpectedly 147 kilometers suddenly appeared, and my confidence came back."

Japanese coach Yokota Hisanori, who left the team from Taipei Steel this year, was one of the reasons why Chang Cheng-en regained his ball speed. He admitted frankly that when he stalled, he originally wanted to shut down the ball and prepare for next year. "Later, coach Yokota supported me at the base and gave me many directions. He told me not to think too much and follow my own pace. Things like speed will naturally come back. He also told me that he is very optimistic about me. I am very grateful to him."

What's thoughtful is that after the Taiwanese team's finisher Chung Yun-hua successfully shut down the Australian team, he handed the ball to Chang Cheng'en and asked him to keep it as a souvenir. He bluntly said that after this game, he will definitely feel more confident. "After all, it is the first time in my life!"