AFC Challenge League: Madura wins point, Falcons loses two

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The AFC Challenge League, comparable to the UEFA Conference League, is Asia’s championship for smaller teams, the third continental competition.

In the first group match, Mongolia's champion Bulgan SP Falcons hosted Indonesia's runner-up, Madura United, in Ulan Bator. The Indonesian team had played their last league match at home on Wednesday, clinching their first win after nine games (2:0 against Semarang). Just two days later, they entered Mongolia, entering the cold with newfound confidence as the current sixteenth-place team in the Indonesian league.

From the start, the difference between home and away sides was clear: though both teams heavily relied on Brazilian players, the Falcons were acclimated and played in short sleeves, while Madura’s players favored long sleeves despite the moderate temperatures.

The stadium hosted around 1,100 fans, with an estimated half a million viewers on Mongolian national Premier Sports 2 and YouTube worldwide. Both teams began with determination, but the Falcons showed more fighting spirit and held better possession early on.

The first real threat emerged in the sixth minute when Falcons’ (#11) Vlademir Everton, passed to (#10) Munkh-Erdene Tuguldur, slipping him past Madura's defense. Everton attempted the first shot on goal in the eighth minute but sent it straight to the keeper, who easily caught it.

Madura managed their first opportunity in the 14th minute: (#17) Irfan crossed into the box, but Falcons’ keeper Tsenguun (#25) punched it away before Madura’s Pedro Monteiro (#3) could connect.

In the 18th minute, Falcons’ André Ferreira (#77) found Bathkishig (#7) in a central position, but he missed the goal while fending off a challenge from Madura’s Ibrahim Sanja (#22). Another chance came in the 20th minute when Everton (#11) fired a shot from outside the box, forcing Madura's keeper, Dida (#98), to make a save.

Madura's first serious chance arrived in the 27th minute, after Dutch defender Jordy Wehrmann (#3) pushed forward on the left. Falcons' keeper Tsenguun tried to intercept, but Sanja’s cross still found its way into the box, requiring defender Tiago Tomais (#3) to step up in goal, only to be blindsided by Madura’s forward Maxuel (#9).

Just before halftime, Madura began to show fatigue, giving the Falcons several opportunities. In added time, a corner from Krusevac (#22) was headed by Ilhamsiya (#36) to Tayo (#2), who put it in the net – but the referee disallowed the goal.

The teams entered halftime at 0-0. The Falcons had been the stronger side but couldn’t capitalize on their advantages. Despite their superiority, the score remained level.

**Second Half**

The second half was lackluster, with minimal action. For the first 20 minutes, both teams appeared uninspired, with midfield skirmishes and little creative play.

In the 67th minute, Falcons’ captain Tuguldur (#10) broke free but sent the ball over the goal. Madura’s first dangerous attempt came in the 75th minute, but their scattered shots amounted to nothing. In the 81st minute, Falcons’ defender Thiago Tomais (#3) managed a header off a free kick, sending the ball directly into Madura’s keeper’s arms.

The 0-0 draw ultimately felt fair: the Falcons failed to convert their dominance into a goal, while the Indonesian favorites fell short of expectations and likely felt more satisfied with the point than their Mongolian hosts.

**Conclusion**

Madura United earned a point in their AFC Challenge League opener, while Bulgan SP Falcons let a crucial opportunity slip away. This was a match they could – and perhaps should – have won. For those watching only the first half, it was a lively showcase. Yet overall, it’s unlikely that this game won over any new fans for (Mongolian) football.

Match Highlights