Vietnam's opponents bring two overage players to ASIAD 19

22 Olympic players from Mongolia - the team in Group B with Vietnam in men's football at the 19th ASIAD - all compete domestically, including two overage players.

The two players are centre-back Purevdorj Bayartsengel, 26, and midfielder Khurelbaatar Tsend-Ayush, 33, who is also the most experienced with 41 appearances for the national team. The three players from the U24 team are defender Orkhon Munkh-Orgil, midfielder Tserenbat Baasanjav and Baljinnyam Batmunkh.

Compared to the list of players participating in the 2024 U23 Asian qualifiers, coach Ichiro Otsuka only retained 15 players. The most regrettable absence was full-back Filip Chinzorig Andersen, who was not included in the preliminary list of 30 players sent to the 19th ASIAD organizing committee and was not registered.

15 out of 23 Mongolian players participating in the 2024 U23 Asian qualifiers are registered to participate in the 19th ASIAD. Photo: MFF

Chinzorig, who holds dual Danish and Mongolian citizenship, came through the Brondby youth system and currently plays in the Czech Republic for Slavia Karlory Vary. He has played six games for Denmark's U16s and three games for their U19s.

Mongolia first participated in the Asian Games in 1998 in Thailand and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China will be the second time. The team will be in Group B with Saudi Arabia, Iran and Vietnam.

Mongolian football is ranked 183rd in FIFA, so it is the weakest team in the group. In the 2024 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers, the team lost 1-3 to Saudi Arabia, 1-2 to Cambodia and drew 1-1 with Lebanon. However, the team has strengths in physical strength and ability to compete.

Midfielder Amaraa Dulguun (white shirt) is a notable factor of the Mongolian Olympics. Photo: MFF

Mongolia will play their opening match against Vietnam on September 19 at Linping Stadium. Coach Hoang Anh Tuan said he is not subjective despite hearing many comments that Mongolia is weaker. The opponent has many experienced players from the national team, while Vietnam has most of its players in the U20 age group.

The match between Mongolia and Vietnam will almost certainly decide the top three positions in Group B. The 19th Asian Games men's football tournament has 23 teams divided into six groups of three teams each. The teams will compete in a round robin format, with the six best first-place teams, six second-place teams and four third-place teams advancing to the round of 16.

Mongolia Olympic List

Goalkeepers (2): Sereekhuu Batmagnai (Deren), Enkh-Erdene Gan-Erdene (Khoromkhon)

Defenders (7): Orkhon Munkh-Orgil, Naranbaatar Khashchuluun, Enkhbold Erkhembayar, Ganbat Dulguun (Deren), Purevdorj Bayartsengel, Gochoo Bilguun (Khangarid), Tumen-Ulzii Sodbilguun (BCH Lions)

Midfielders (9): Khurelbaatar Tsend-Ayush (Tuv Azarganuud), Amaraa Dulguun, Tserenbat Baasanjav, Baljinnyam Batmunkh, Erdenebat Gan-Erdene (Deren), Togoo Munkhbaatar (Khoromkhon), Batbayar Tsogtbayar (Su Rebenland), Oyuntuya Oyunbold (Sham Sui Po), Ganbat Buyannemekh (Khovd)

Forwards (4): Uuganbat Temulen, Ankhbayar Sodmunkh (BZ Sporting Ilch), Zayat Temuulen (Khangarid), Nergui Sainbuyan (Khovd).

Hieu Luong

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