Indonesia’s Madura United braved temperatures up to 7 degrees Celsius in Ulaanbaatar as the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab played out a 0-0 draw with hosts SP Falcons at the MFF Football Center in the Mongolian capital, kicking-off their 2024/25 AFC Challenge League campaign on Sunday.
Mongolian champions SP Falcons dominated much of the game against Madura United but had to settle for a point as Madura United goalkeeper Dida delivered a series of outstanding saves to keep his team level in Ulaanbaatar.
From the outset, SP Falcons were on the attack. Dida was called into action early, making crucial saves including a low dive to stop Vlademir Everton’s powerful long-range strike and a reflex save to deny a looping header from Otgonbaatar Enkh-Orgil. Despite Falcons’ relentless pressure, Madura United nearly took the lead in the 27th minute when Ibrahim Sanjaya intercepted SP Falcons’ goalkeeper Tsenguun Khandaa outside the box, but Maxuel couldn’t capitalize on the open goal.
Just before halftime, SP Falcons thought they’d broken the deadlock when Taiyo Toyoda’s shot found the net off a Matheus Guara assist, only for the goal to be ruled offside on Myagmar Batkhishig. SP Falcons maintained their intensity in the second half, but Madura’s defense stepped up, providing better support for Dida. In the 82nd minute, SP Falcons had a final chance when Enkh-Orgil’s free-kick reached Thiago Tomais, but Dida was ready, catching the header to ensure the match ended in a hard-fought draw.