Mongolia Earns Historic Draw in Kuala Lumpur

History was made yesterday as Mongolia earned a 2-2 draw with hosts Malaysia at the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

The match marked the teams' first-ever non-defeat in a friendly match and first time playing Malaysia at the senior level.

The hosts took the early lead off of a corner kick driven home by Akhyar Rashid in the 31st minute. The match marked Rashid’s senior debut.

Mongolia did not trail for long with Enkhbileg Purevdorj chipping the oncoming 'keeper from just inside the box eleven minutes later after receiving a good through ball and some lax defending. It was only the second cap for the 22-year-old after debuting against Taiwan in October 2017.

Malaysia retook the lead on a strike from outside the box that deflected off of captain Turbat Daginaa's shoulder, catching the 'keeper Enkhtaivan Munkh-Erdene going the wrong way.

Gankhuyag Serodyanjiv drove home a well-placed free kick from outside of the box in the 70th minute to level the score.

Ultimately, both teams held on to secure the draw, a result that Mongolia will celebrate and Malaysia will look to forget.

Mongolia will take the field again in five days as it hosts Mauritius in Ulaanbaatar on 27 March. The match will mark Mongolia's first time hosting a friendly match and the first time playing a non-AFC opponent.