Bhutan is set to kick off the third and final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The Dragon Boys will take on Yemen in their opening match at 6 PM tomorrow at the Changlimithang Stadium. Competing in Group B, Bhutan will also face Brunei and Lebanon in this crucial stage of the tournament.
Both teams completed their official training session for the qualifiers today at the Changlimithang Stadium.
The qualifiers will be played in a home-and-away league format which will run from March this year to March next year.
Bhutan is ranked 24 places below Yemen at 182nd in the FIFA standings.
During the pre-match press conference this morning, the head coaches and captains shared their expectations and strategies for the tournament.
Bhutan’s head coach Atsushi Nakamura said, “Individually, our opponents are at a much higher level than our players, but football is a team sport. That’s why we always train as a group and fight as a team. When we score a goal, defending as a unit becomes crucial. Individual skills matter, but success comes from teamwork and collective effort. Football allows us to compete in this way.”
“For this game, the atmosphere is positive, and the team is motivated. We are ready for tomorrow’s match. Yemen may have more experience, but we have passion. Football is not just about skill—it’s about teamwork and discipline. If we stay focused and give everything we have, we can make history. We respect Yemen but we do not fear them. Tomorrow, we will play for our country and our fans, making the most of our home advantage,” said Nima Wangdi, the captain of the national team.
Yemen’s head coach Noureddine Ould Ali said, “For this game, we held a training camp in Yemen with local players to prepare. Since the league in Yemen is not working, I regularly organise camps for local players before calling up our professional players. We have many professionals playing in Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. For me, the players are fully prepared for this game.”
“This match means everything to us—not just to the team, but to the entire nation of Yemen. Our people are counting on us to deliver good results, and as a team, we want to make them as proud and happy as possible. This game is incredibly important. Beyond that, I want to emphasise that we are confident, well-prepared, and ready to give our best,” said Harwan Al-Zubaidi, the captain of Yemen’s team.
Bhutan is in Group B alongside Lebanon, Yemen, and Brunei. Next, Bhutan will travel to Brunei to face the Southeast Asian nation on June 10. The Dragon Boys will then play Lebanon home and away in October. In November, Bhutan will be on the road for the second leg against Yemen before concluding the qualifiers against Brunei at Changlimithang on March 31 next year.
The group winners from each of the six groups in the qualifiers will advance to the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup.
18 teams have already secured their spots in the final tournament as group winners and runners-up from the second round.
The quadrennial international men’s football championship will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
