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.

Coached by Dutchman Robbie Servais, Brunei sorely missed their key players as Mongolia dominated proceedings from the word go with a brilliant display of attacking football.

Tsedenbal found the back of the net in the ninth minute in the first leg tie against Brunei Darussalam as Mongolia went on to register a 2-0 win at the MFF Stadium in Ulaanbaatar.

Pakistan looked set to hold on for a draw in the rain-lashed National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on Thursday but substitute Chanthea capitalised on a failed clearance by a Pakistani defender to drill the ball into the back of the net from close range in the 81st minute.

Three minutes later, Pakistan were left reeling as midfield general Sokumpheak broke away from the tracking defenders to slot the ball beyond the visiting keeper.

This was the first time both sides met since their first encounter 14 years ago when Dorji was part of the national team who defeated Guam 6-0, a record which still stands as the country’s biggest margin of victory.

Filipe Duarte scored the only goal of the game seven minutes into the second half to give Macau a slender advantage after the opening 90 minutes and, while pleased with his team’s performance, Iong wants to see another strong showing from his team in Sri Lanka next week.

“I’m very satisfied with the result and the performance because I don’t think I can ask for more from the players,” said Iong of Macau’s historic first-ever win in FIFA World Cup qualifying. “They gave 100 percent and I’m really happy with the result as well.

“But I think it’s not enough and if in this game we can get 2-0 or more it would have been a better result, but we can say we still have 90 minutes to try to see what will happen."

Macau will host the game at the Zhuhai Sports Center Stadium in neighbouring Zhuhai after maintenance works to the Estadio Campo Desportivo meant the Macanese were unable to play the match at their usual home stadium.

Despite that move, though, Macau will go into the game as marginal favourites given their higher status in the current FIFA Rankings – they are rated at 183rd in the world, 19 places above the Sri Lankans – and a stronger track record at this level.