MNT Ends Worst-Ever Run, Naranbold Breaks Record

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With no official matches on the calendar for the June 2024 international window after crashing out of World Cup qualification, Mongolia scheduled home and away friendlies with Cambodia, who also did not advance from the first round. The series saw a number of Mongolian records broken, some positive and some regrettable.

Mongolia was shut out 2-0 in Phnom Penh on 7 June, extending the team's winless streak to nine matches and its goalless streak to eight. The team’s winless drought was its second-worst run since going 0-1-15 after joining the official world football family in 1998. Eight matches without a goal was Mongolia’s worst-ever dry spell. Cambodia celebrated the victory as part of festivities surrounding the renovation of its national stadium.

Mongolia had previously not scored in well over a year since its 1-6 defeat to Georgia in March 2023. Its winless streak extended a match further, with the team's last victory coming against Yemen in 2023 Asian Cup qualification in June 2022.

On Mongolia's home leg four days later, both streaks were ended as the Blue Wolves were victorious 2-1 at the MFF Football Centre. After falling behind 0-1 in the 17th minute, Mongolia equalized and took the lead through strikes from Nyam-Osor Naranbold and Gantogtokh Gantuya.

The goal was Gantuya's first for the senior national team.

Naranbold made his return to the national team for the first time in two years. He continued his fine form for both the national team and club Khoromkhon, leveling the score 1-1 in the 53rd minute. The goal was his ninth at the senior international level in thirty-one matches, a new national record. Previously, the striker had been tied with Donorov Lumbengarav with both strikers tied at eight goals since Nyam-Osor reached the mark on 6 March 2019.

Narabold has been a consistent scorer with well-earned goals since making his senior debut in 2016. His nine goals have been scored across eight matches against eight different opponents. He has scored in four different official competitions as well as Mongolia's infrequent friendlies. With a two-match series scheduled against Timor-Leste in September 2024 as part of Asian Cup qualification, the 32-year-old Naranbold will have the chance to extend his record and become the first Mongolian to score double digit goals.

With Naranbold now actively back with the national team and a victory under its belt, the team is in a much better position going into its next matches.