ULAANBAATAR (Interstat) — Central Stallions scored seven times and overpowered Hunters 7-1 on Thursday in a lopsided football match, turning an early contest into a one-sided result. The visiting side produced the decisive attacking stretch after Hunters briefly cut into the lead, and Central Stallions kept control through the second half. Central Stallions made the most of their chances and delivered a statement result on the road.

Suld Erdene Baatarsukh opened the scoring in the 19th minute for Central Stallions. Usukh doubled the lead in the 33rd minute. Hunters responded in the 36th minute with a goal that made it 2-1, but Central Stallions answered almost immediately when Shuto Komaki scored in the 38th minute to restore a two-goal cushion before halftime. Central Stallions led 3-1 at the break and had already established the rhythm that would carry through the rest of the match.

Central Stallions pulled away after the break with goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes. Further goals in the 71st and 80th completed the scoring and capped a dominant closing period. Hunters could not mount a response as Central Stallions controlled possession and limited the home side’s chances. The visitors’ finishing proved decisive, and the home side struggled to keep pace once the game opened up. Central Stallions scored at regular intervals in the second half and kept Hunters from building any sustained pressure. Hunters, by contrast, were forced to chase the game for long stretches and could not find a second goal.

The result moved Central Stallions to 3 wins and 2 losses in the competition, and the club holds the same record across all competitions. Hunters is now 4-2 in the competition and 4-2 across all competitions. Central Stallions had lost 1-0 at home to FC Ulaanbaatar in its most recent competition match and had lost 2-0 at FC Ulaanbaatar earlier in the season. It had beaten Deren 2-1 at home and Khovd Western 8-4 at home. Hunters had lost 2-0 at Deren in its previous competition match but had won four straight before that, including a 5-1 home win over Khaan Khuns-Erchim, a 6-1 home win over Khovd, a 6-2 away win at Khovd Western and a 6-1 home win over Amtat.

Baatarsukh and Komaki were among the key performers for Central Stallions, each scoring once in the win. Central Stallions’ midfield kept the game moving and repeatedly found space in the attacking third. Hunters, playing at home, found few clear openings after its lone goal and could not slow the visitors’ momentum. The match marked a sharp contrast to the teams’ recent form and left Central Stallions with a third competition win of the season. Hunters remained ahead of Central Stallions in the competition record despite the heavy home defeat. The home side’s lone goal came during a brief productive spell, but Central Stallions quickly regained control and protected the advantage with disciplined defending.

Central Stallions spread the scoring across the match. Baatarsukh’s early goal set the tone, Usukh added the second, and Komaki’s strike just before halftime ended Hunters’ brief hope after the home side had pulled one back. The second half belonged largely to Central Stallions, who added goals in the 60th, 62nd, 71st and 80th minutes. The visitors kept their shape after building the lead and did not allow Hunters to turn the match into a back-and-forth contest.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Hunters 2, Central Stallions 2, and Interstat’s ELO system had projected Hunters with a 70 percent probability to win. Central Stallions had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2. The total score of 8 went under the over/under line of 4.5.