Ulaanbaatar: There is no better way to celebrate being appointed captain of your national side than scoring the goal that created FIFA World Cup history and wrote headlines around the world.
But this week Normoojiin Tsedenbal managed just that when he struck the first goal of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification in his home town of Ulaanbaatar for the Mongolian national team who went on to win the opening game of the Road to Qatar and Road to China.
His left-foot strike from a free-kick in the ninth minute of the subsequent 2-0 victory against Brunei Darussalam meant that Tsedenbal will be remembered as the man who scored the first goal of a competition which will end with the Finals across Asia in Qatar in December 2022.
"Of course, to play for the Mongolian national team is a great honour for me. When, on the last day of our training camp in Thailand, the head coach appointed me as captain with the support of my teammates, I recognised that was is huge responsibility, but was also very happy," said Tsedenbal, 31.
"I have played 10 years for the national team and I very happy for this wonderful moment in my life."
Asian Qualifiers: Mongolia v Brunei Darussalam
It was even more special that the spectacular goal on Thursday came in Ulaanbaatar where he has played all his football. He began his career with Ulaanbaataryn Unaganuud, where he was also captain.
Under his guidance the club won the Mongolian Premier League, the Mongolian Futsal Premier League, the National Championship and also the MFF Cup in a seven-year career.
"I was worried as I stood with the ball for the free-kick, even though I have trained for this many times. It was a very heavy responsibility and I feel happiness that this was the first goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, that it was scored in Mongolia by Mongolia.
"I appreciate the support the Mongolian Football Federation gives to the national team, and I promise, we will do our best in the second leg (in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday)."
Tsedenbal, who earned his first cap in the East Asia Football Federation (EAFF) Cup Preliminary Competition in Guam in 2009, has made 27 national team appearances with Thursday's goal his fifth for the side.
In 2013 he moved to Ulaanbaatar City, one of the original founders of the MFF Premier League when it was relaunched in 2015 and has also won the MFF Cup and Super Cup as well as being appointed club captain.
His stand-out year, however, was 2018 when he won best player awards in not only the MFF Premier League but also in the EAFF Cup Preliminary Tournament when Mongolia won the group.
He also managed a goal in the narrow 2-1 defeat against Chinese Taipei in the second round but Mongolia did not advance to the Finals.
Photos: Mongolia Football Federation
Source: the-afc.com