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Having only joined in 1998, Mongolia is one of the younger member associations with AFC and FIFA. Between 1960 and 1998, the country has not played a single international match. Their exile was evident and now, it is trying to catch up all those missed years.
Geographical and climatic conditions have not made things easy for the Mongolians as they struggle to cope with the harsh temperatures making it very difficult for any kind of serious football training.
Since their return though, Mongolia has steadily improved. In the first year of their return, Mongolia scored a historic point against football mad Bangladesh in an exciting 2-2 draw. More recently, in the 2004 Asian Cup preliminaries, they breezed past Guam 5-0, capturing their second international match win. In an away match against Bhutan, which took place 3,000 meters above sea level, they earned a scoreless draw.
Little by little, Mongolia is gaining the mentality of a winner.
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