Bhutan’s first football match against an African opponent did not go as planned as the Dragon Boys went down six-nil against the Central African Republic in the FIFA Series 2024 today. Despite a resolute first half, the Bhutanese players could not counter the Central African Republic onslaught in the second half. Hosted in Sri Lanka, the island nation is one of many countries hosting the inaugural FIFA Series tournament.
The match started with a high tempo, with both teams trying to find a stronghold. Both sides were having a go at each other when, in the 16th minute, a defensive error gifted the Central African Republic their first goal.
From then on, it was a game of cat and mouse, with the Central African Republic players threatening the Bhutanese goal time and again. Despite the relentless pressure, Bhutan managed to keep the deficit to one goal at halftime.
However, Bhutan’s luck ran out early in the second half when Baboula Ghislain ran past the Bhutanese defence to net his team’s second.
A minute later, the Central African Republic added their third goal courtesy of Dawa Tshnamnganda.
Before the Bhutanese players could recover from the quickfire double, the African nation netted their fourth goal in the 56th minute, another goal conceded with the defence all over the place.
Hari Gurung made way for Gyeltshen Zangpo in the Bhutanese goal, whose error right after coming on led to the Central African Republic’s fifth goal, with Dawa Tshnamnganda chipping into an open goal.
Late in the match, the Central African Republic added another goal to clinch a six-nil victory.
Not the start Bhutan desired, but the team can look to salvage some pride when they take on Sri Lanka on Monday.
Sherub Dorji
