As champions of the Bhutan Women’s League, RTC Women’s Football Club is gearing up for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27 Preliminary Stage in Uzbekistan next month. The club has strengthened its squad with seven foreign signings and intensified training as it aims to make a stronger impact in the continental competition.
Training is in full swing at the RTC Artificial Turf in Thimphu. The team has been undergoing four hours of training every day, focusing on fitness, tactics and team chemistry. It will be their third consecutive appearance in the AFC Women’s Champions League. The team will leave for Uzbekistan on the 13th of next month.
Leading the team once again is 26-year-old Suk Maya Ghalley from Gelephu. She says the team has fallen short of reaching the Group Stage in previous campaigns. However, she hopes to achieve a better result this year.
She says, “This year, we are trying to win and advance to the Group Stage because we have many talented and skilful players from outside the country, as well as our Bhutanese players. So, we are very confident of winning this tournament and progressing to the next round.”
Among the local players is 21-year-old forward Pema Kuenzang Choeki from Trashigang, one of the youngest members of the squad. Despite her age, she has already represented Bhutan in about 15 international tournaments and is expected to play a key role in the team’s attack.
Pema Kuenzang Choeki said, “In the past three years, I was not able to perform at my best or fully showcase my skills and abilities. This year, I am determined to work harder, perform better, and contribute to the team. We are all well prepared and ready to face the competition.”
The club has recruited seven foreign players.
“I want to help RTC qualify from the group stage. I want us to go far. I’m going to work hard together with my teammates as one team so that we can win games,” said Debora Agyei Kuruwaa, who is playing midfielder for the club.
Head coach Lobzang Dorji said the team has been working on improving physical fitness, tactical awareness and match readiness as they prepare to face some of the strongest clubs in the region.
He said, “Looking at my girls, they are giving 100 per cent in training. I hope that we can be rewarded for that in the AFC competition. In the end, it all comes down to luck and hard work. We hope to achieve a good result.”
The AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage will feature 24 clubs divided into six groups. RTC Women FC has been drawn in Group C alongside Banaat FC of the United Arab Emirates, PFC Nasaf of Uzbekistan and Master FC of Laos.
The matches will be played from the 17th to the 23rd of next month. RTC Women FC will open its campaign against Banaat FC, before taking on hosts PFC Nasaf and Master FC.
Only the six group winners will advance to the Group Stage, where they will join six directly qualified teams, including defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC of North Korea and clubs from the top-ranked women’s football nations in Asia.
For RTC Women FC, the tournament presents another opportunity to test themselves against higher-level opposition and pursue a historic place in the Group Stage.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sangay Chezom
