Mongolian Premier League is a football league official in Mongolia which started in 1997. The initiators of the Mongolian Premier League were the RSSU administration. The league has certainly its special charm, although it has never achieved as much popularity as big European or South American leagues.
The League is not so popular only because it is not widely shown on the television, but it does not mean that its clubs are of lower quality, as they play with real passion and heart. Most importantly, the sacrificed clubs show their spirit for Football and are able to have their own beautiful stories and achievements as part of the progression of the game.
The teams below may not always get the attention they deserve, but because of the moments of excitement and the presence of the local flavor, they are worth following.
List Of 5 underrated clubs in Mongolian Premier League
1. Khovd FC
Established in 2018, Khovd FC is the club from Khovd city (Mongolia). In 2021, the team was introduced to the public by winning Mongolia 1st League and getting the invitation of National Premier League as a result. After a very difficult first season in the top-flight, just narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 9th .
During the season of 2022, the club made overall changes with the new owner being B. Bat-Erdene and accredited the proficient manager Garidmagnai Bayasgalan as one of the necessary staff.
Reason for being underrated
Khovd FC is hardly ever acknowledged although the club has accomplished quite a lot.The club is located in western Mongolia and provides none to that end, since the media attentions are very scarce when it comes out about clubs that are in the capital Ulaanbaatar like other clubs.
All due to the fact they are rather a young club so naturally haven’t quite amassed the massive amount of fan base or notoriety bigger names in the game experience. In 2023–24 league, they ended as ninth of the team in Khovd FC.
Anyway, Batkhyag Munkh-Erdene, the club’s forward, claimed the top scorer title with 38 goals that a very great feat.
The club spearheads its success with main players like Batkhyag Munkh-Erdene. His 38 goals did not only secure the top scorer title for him but also played a crucial role in keeping Khovd FC competitive during the whole season.
Khovd FC is a club with a wide reach in its local community. The audience is very loyal and passionate, basically, they are used to attending matches quite often and, on several occasions, despite bad results, the stadium was pretty full.
Thinking ahead, Khovd FC is likely to become a prominent team. Combining a prolific scorer like Munkh-Erdene with the guidance of manager Bayasgalan, the structure is ready to be uplifting. The emphasis on enhancing their defense and midfield could result in a better performance in the following seasons. Moreover, amping up media participation and marketing practices might get them the recognition they merit on the national level.
2. Hunters FC
Hunters FC which was established in 2019 is football club and is based in the Crystal Town which is a neighborhood of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The club began its journey in the National Amateur Cup with a modest top-8 finish and was subsequently promoted to the Second League in the same year.
In 2022, South Korean entrepreneur Dong-geun Kim took over the club, and he connected it to Mongolia Korea Union based on Economic Development conference. This acquisition was to further the cause of Christian evangelization in Mongolia with the team as a beacon for the Christian community.
Hunters FC is often underrated, even though their ascension has been very fast. The fact that they are not punching above their years as one of the youngest and most irrelevant focuses on the need for media covering that is quite limited. Also, the high point of the unfulfilled signings of local talents makes them not under the spotlight such as other similar football clubs.
Hunters Journey To Mongolian Premier league
Hunters FC saw a radical transformation in 2022/2023. They mostly reigned supreme in the Second League as they wrapped up an 18-game season without any losses conceding fifteen wins and three draws making them proud owners of a +61 goal difference.
With this impressive performance, the team finally was given the license to participate in the First League. Defying all the odds they achieved another feat by securing their promotion to the Mongolian Premier League for the 2024/2025 season, which was their second successive promotion.
Their first match in the Premier League, which can be traced back to August 17, 2024, was a 0-3 loss to Deren FC, hence it was their first game in the league where they were defeated after 2022.
The success of the club is largely due to distinct players such as the following ones: Kh. Taivankhuu: He is an elite player who has contributed to the team securing the title with his cohesiveness in both defensive and offensive strategies.
Munkhzul Byambasuren: The far side speedster who uses his speed skating agility to his advantage in becoming a goal scorer will be a great player if he can have a great season marrying pace with merry league. Thus, among his many triumphs, he is the club top scorer in the Mongolian second-tier championship in the 2022/23 season.
The local people happily back the club. The passionate fans favored them with a turnout equaling the capacity of 5,000 seat the MFF Football Centre has during the home games. Both the team’s involvement in the community and its status as a source of local pride have built up a highly devoted fan base.
It looks like things are looking up for Hunters FC. In order for them to stay in the League, they will have to concentrate on good player acquisitions and the training field probably has to be developed as well.
Additionally, higher media involvement will allow the club to enter the national spotlight eventually, which consequently translates to more money in sponsors and major attention. In the long run, Hunters FC is expected to foster competitors in the Mongolian football industry.
3. Khoromkhon FC
Khoromkhon FC, a football club from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia founded in 1999 and working professionally. One of the mainstays of football in Mongolia and commonly referred to as “The Yellows. Their rather impressive accomplishments in Mongolian football history were the winning of the Mongolian Premier League on two occasions 2005 and 2014, together with success from the Mongolia Cup in 2012.
However, Khoromkhon FC has often been subject to underrated, despite being the ones who have made such big achievements. Several reasons cause this:Inconsistent Performances, Limited Media Coverage, and Financial Constraints.
In the 2023-24 Mongolian Premier League season, Khoromkhon FC occupied the sixth place with 40 points from 27 games, 11 wins, 7 draws, and 9 losses. However, they had a very heavy 0-8 loss to SP Falcons on 10th October 2024, which they needed to work on.
Some of the players have been key figures in the team’s successes: Hunters FC’s 25-year-old winger, Munkhzul Byambasuren, showed the league his quality in the 2022/23 season by finishing first in the scoring charts with 21 goals and thus won the title of the league’s top striker.
Furthermore, his teammate, 21-year-old striker Batmunkh Sukh-Erdene, achieved second place with 17 goals.
Khoromkhon FC has the capability in the Mongolian footballing sphere to climb the ladder. This organization can enhance its achievement level by means of giving all their energy to a set of proper goals, ensuring that sponsors are attracted and the youth development programs are more efficient. Adding to that, digital platforms can be used not only to get World-Wide attention but also to extend their profiles both locally and internationally.
4.TUV Buganuud FC
Tuv Buganuud FC, football club in Töv Province, Mongolia. In 2021 the club broke through its first promotion to the Mongolian Premier League and became a national headline when it won a decisive playoff against Khoromkhon FC. Those series’ stood out for B. Ariunbold scoring the goal you need, and R. Otgonpurev that they both were contributed 6-4 aggregate win.
And yet apart from that, Tuv Buganuud FC is underrated. Tuv Buganuud FC (2024 season face a tough fight) The year 2024 brought massive problems Tuv Buganuud FC.
In the middle of signing several important first team players, the club was reduced to recruiting mainly juniors and players from lower divisions because of their financial difficulties. Coming off this transition a series of crushing losses ensued including a 2-0 defeat against Deren FC, one of the most hard times performed period for the club.
In the previous season, we have seen players like B. Ariunbold key big club victories. Ariunbold was the third-highest scorer in the regular season before they climbed to their promotion, scoring 11. Yet few remain from the old guard and although academy players are coming through to help fill the void, they have shown their inexperience in the matches.
The future of Tuv Buganuud FC is to balance its financial book and player development. By exploring the media outlets more, also help them to be visible through posts and using that social media platforms.
By focusing, Tuv Buganuud FC can dream of regaining a foothold in Mongolian football and bounce back from the slump that has afflicted the club in recent times.
5. Brera IIch FC
Brera Ilch FC, previously Bayanzurkh Football Club Ilch the Mongolian Football Team based in Ulaanbaatar
The 2024 transformation of the club came when it was purchased and relaunched as Brera Ilch FC by Brera Holdings PLC (an international sports management) Brera Holdings plc invests in Brera Ilch FC, brining new (and hopefully) attractive ideas for Mongolian premier league.
Brera Ilch FC is not entirely underrated for a number of reasons despite the rebranding and foreign back stock. The Rebrand: Rebrand still getting legs locally, internationally.
Low Exposure: Mongolian Football, itself does not get major exposure & hence its clubs remain in lesser visibility. Established clubs: The older teams in the league can be harder for new or rebranded clubs to compete with.
Brera Ilch FC won in September 2024 to SP Falcons (1–0) at the helm of coach newly appointed Head Coach Toshiaki Imai. Some caught on so obviously this was big, a sign of what they can do and what the new management has done to help the team.
Communication with fans has increased, as the club have changed its identity in recent years creating more of a buzz in their local region. Fans enjoy the new vibe and are optimistic for a more combative sell in the league.
Brera Holdings-backed Brera Ilch FC will bring in players capable & invest in youth academies to improve squad. Enjoying financial support from Brera Holdings, club will advance to build its infrastructure and training grounds. Translated with Tarsier Translator Brera Ilch FC To climb up the ladder of Mongolian Premier League for upcoming seasons, local talent will be groomed and home grown atmosphere created at club.
Last Thoughts
Though the Mongolian Premier League may not be in same class as that of Europe’s top leagues, but still there are gems worth watching. Full of doom and gloom challenges such as lack of media coverage and financial problems these teams still fight for the win.
If you are a big fan of uncovering fresh football stories, track Mongolian Premier League. Who knows? You may end up with your favorite team. Tell us your opinion on other underrated clubs in the comments!
FAQ
What are the best teams in the Mongolian Premier League?
Ans: Khaan Khuns Erchim, FC Ulaanbaatar, and Khangarid FC
Which Mongolian Premier League club has the most championships?
Ans: Khaan Khuns Erchim
Why is the Mongolian Premier League not well-known?
Ans: The Mongolian Premier League is not well-known due to limited media coverage, lower funding compared to larger leagues, and the country’s geographical constraints, which affect visibility
Who are the rising stars in the Mongolian Premier League?
Ans: Temuulen Odkhuu and Ariunbold Enkhbat
5.Which teams in the Mongolian Premier League have the best fan support?
Ans: FC Ulaanbaatar and Khaan Khuns Erchim
