IDA Valencia player Odkhuu Soyol recently took his development to the international stage, representing Mongolia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers and contributing three assists across two victories.
Soyol featured in both matches as Mongolia defeated the Northern Mariana Islands 7–0 and Guam 3–0, completing the qualifiers with two wins, 10 goals scored, and none conceded.
Now entering his third season at IDA Valencia, the experience represented another important milestone in a journey that has taken Soyol from Mongolia to Spain in pursuit of a higher level of football – and, ultimately, his goal of reaching the professional game.
Growing up in Mongolia, Soyol developed a passion for football from an early age.
“I started playing football when I was young, and I quickly became really passionate about it,” he says. “As I got older, I wanted to take it more seriously and see how far I could go.”
Taking that ambition to the next level eventually meant stepping outside of his comfort zone.
“I wanted to challenge myself and continue developing at a higher level,” Soyol explains. “My president at my old club introduced me to IDA Valencia, and that’s how I got the opportunity to come to Spain and start my journey here.”
At IDA, he found an environment that combined the demands of Spanish football with the experience of training alongside players from around the world.
“I liked the level of training and the environment. Being around players from different countries also pushed me to improve every day.”
As Soyol prepares for his third season at IDA Valencia, the difference between the player who first arrived in Spain and the one representing Mongolia today goes beyond physical or technical development.
For him, one of the most important changes has been how he sees the game.
“I think my biggest improvement has been my understanding of the game. I’ve also become more confident, stronger, and better at making decisions.”
That development is evident in specific areas of his game.
“I read the game much better now and make decisions quicker. I also understand my positioning and movement much better.”
Training and competing in Spain has exposed Soyol to a faster and more demanding football environment, challenging him to process situations more quickly and become increasingly comfortable under pressure. Those lessons have become part of the player he is today.
But his development at IDA hasn’t been limited to what happens on the pitch.
Moving thousands of miles from Mongolia to Spain required Soyol to adapt to a new country, culture, and daily routine while pursuing his football ambitions.
“It’s made me more independent and responsible,” he says. “Living away from my family has taught me how to adapt and take care of myself.”
For an international student-athlete, that support system can be just as important as the football environment itself.
“The coaching staff and my teammates have all had a big influence on me. They’ve helped me improve every day, both on and off the pitch. Georgios has also helped me a lot with everything since I arrived, and I’m really grateful for that.”
The progress made during his time in Spain was put to the test when Soyol joined Mongolia for the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
“Representing Mongolia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers was a very valuable experience for me,” Soyol says. “I played in both matches against the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, where Mongolia achieved convincing victories of 7–0 and 3–0 respectively.”
Soyol contributed directly to those results, registering three assists across the two matches.
“Finishing the qualifiers with two wins, 10 goals scored and no goals conceded was a great achievement for the team,” he says. “Playing at U20 international level gave me valuable experience and helped me develop both technically and mentally as a player. I’m very proud to have represented my country and grateful for the opportunity to compete at this level.”
For Soyol, the experience also highlighted how his time at IDA and in Spanish football has prepared him for the demands of international competition.
“Playing in Spain helped me get used to a faster and more intense style of football,” he explains. “It also gave me more confidence and helped me make quicker decisions.”
The difference was something he could feel himself when he stepped onto the field for Mongolia.
“Just being able to play at that level made me realize how much I’ve improved. I felt much more confident compared to when I first came to Spain.”
And beyond the development milestone, wearing his country’s colors carried a significance of its own.
“It meant a lot to me. Representing Mongolia is something I’m really proud of, and playing at that level was a great experience.”
With two seasons of development in Spain behind him and another international experience added to his journey, Soyol enters his third year at IDA focused on continuing that progression.
“I want to keep improving, become a more complete player, and continue moving toward professional football,” he says. “That’s my main goal.”
His journey from Mongolia to Valencia is still being written, but the progress already made reflects what can happen when an ambitious young player embraces a new environment, higher demands, and the challenge of developing both on and off the pitch.
For other international players considering taking that same step, Soyol’s advice comes directly from his own experience:
“Be ready to work hard and step outside your comfort zone. It can be difficult at first, but you learn a lot and grow both as a player and as a person.”
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