Bhutan’s senior national football team is ready to kick off the final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The qualification round begins in six days. The Dragon Boys will open their campaign against Yemen on March 25th at the Changlimithang Stadium. Bhutan secured a spot as the best-ranked losing team from the first round after defeating Hong Kong, China 2-nil in the World Cup Qualifiers in October 2023.
Bhutan is the only team from the first-round eliminations to advance directly to the third round, bypassing the playoff stage.
In the final round of qualifiers, Bhutan will compete against Yemen, Brunei, and Lebanon in Group B. These matches will follow a home-and-away league format from the 25th to the 31st of March.
A squad of 23 players has been training at the Changlimithang Stadium. The team also recently travelled to Qatar for friendly matches to gain exposure and experience. Three national players competing internationally have also returned to represent the country.
Among them is 23-year-old Tenzin Norbu from Thimphu, who plays in Australia’s state league.
He became a national player in 2019 and has participated in multiple international tournaments.
“I came here to represent the national team, and it truly feels like a dream come true. BFF made this opportunity possible, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it. Representing my country is a great honour and a valuable opportunity, not just for me but also for former national team players who moved abroad for a better future. I believe this is just the beginning of my journey.”
Similarly, Bhutanese football sensation Chencho Gyeltshen has joined the team.
The 29-year-old has played for several foreign clubs, including Minerva Punjab, Bengaluru FC, and Chittagong Abahani. Currently signed with Nepal’s Lalitpur City FC, Chencho will leave for Nepal on 29th March after the tournament.
“There is still a significant gap compared to the international level, but Bhutan’s football has improved tremendously over the years. In the past, we struggled to maintain possession and composure against strong teams. However, our players now have the patience and confidence to handle pressure, allowing us to compete more effectively against top teams.”
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Dawa Tshering from Trashigang will play as a winger.
He previously played for Delhi FC in the I-League and Thailand’s League 3rd Division. Dawa has represented Bhutan in the under-13 team.
“I am honoured to be selected for the senior national team. Before this, I played for Delhi FC for about five months, which was an invaluable experience. My time there helped me grow as a player, gain greater exposure, and sharpen my skills. Now, I look forward to joining my national teammates and beginning training for the challenges ahead.”
Bhutan is ranked 182nd in the FIFA standings, while Yemen, Brunei, and Lebanon are ranked 158th, 184th, and 112th, respectively.
Head Coach Atsushi Nakamura remains optimistic about the team’s performance after two friendly matches in Qatar.
“We played two matches against club teams from Qatar. One team was very strong, while the other was less challenging. However, both games provided valuable experience and knowledge. These matches helped us better understand Yemen’s physical abilities and playing style.”
Eighteen teams have already secured their spots in the final tournament as group winners and runners-up from the second round.
The top teams from each of the six groups in the final qualifiers will advance to the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, set to take place in Saudi Arabia from 7th January to 5th February 2027.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Phub Gyem
