Bhutan national under-23 football team

The Bhutan national under-23 football team represents Bhutan in men's international under-23 football. The team is controlled by the governing body for football in Bhutan, the Bhutan Football Federation, which is currently a member of the Asian Football Federation and the regional body the South Asian Football Federation. Bhutan have never attempted to qualify for the Olympic Games and their competitive matches have been restricted solely to the South Asian Games, where they made their debut in 2004.

Bhutan Under-23
Nickname(s)Druk Eleven[1]
Druk Yul[2]
Dragon Boys[3]
AssociationBhutan Football Federation
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationSAFF (South Asia)
Head coachPema Dorji
CaptainChencho Gyeltshen
Home stadiumChanglimithang Stadium
FIFA codeBHU
First colours
Second colours
First international
   Nepal 0–0 Bhutan
(Rawalpindi, Pakistan; 27 March 2004)
Biggest win
None
Biggest defeat
Bhutan 0–5 Nepal   
(Paltan Bazaar, India; 7 February 2016)
South Asian Games
Appearances5 (first in 2004)
Best result2019 (Silver)

History

Bhutan made their debut at the 9th South Asian Federation Games in 2004. The senior national team had previously competed on multiple occasions in the football tournaments of the South Asian Games, but this was the first time that the tournament was restricted to under-23 teams.[4] The tournament was originally scheduled for 2001, but was cancelled due to the conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan. It was rescheduled for 2003, but Bhutan withdrew. This time, due to the war in Iraq, the tournament was postponed for a second time but was rescheduled a second time for 2004, which Bhutan re-entered.[4] Drawn in a three team group including Nepal and Sri Lanka (following the Maldives' withdrawal), an opening 0–0 draw with Nepal was a positive start.[4] With Sri Lanka beating both Bhutan and Nepal 1–0 in the remaining two group games, Bhutan finished with an identical record to Nepal, but progressed to the knockout rounds winning the toss of a coin.[4] A 4–1 loss to India in the semi finals, with Pema Chophel scoring the team's first ever goal,[4] saw them face Sri Lanka again in the bronze medal play off match. This time they produced a better performance drawing 0–0 after sudden death extra time, but ultimately lost 3–2 in the resulting penalty shoot out to finish in fourth place overall.[4]

Their next international fixtures were in the 2006 South Asian Games.[5] This time they were less successful. Drawn in a group with Sri Lanka, Pakistan national under-23 football team and the Maldives, Bhutan were eliminated after losing all three of their games: 1–0 against the Maldives and 4–0 against both Pakistan and Sri Lanka to return home without scoring a goal.[5]

There was a four-year gap this time between editions of the South Asian Games, but Bhutan sent their under-23 team to Bangladesh in 2010.[6] Again they were drawn in a four team group, this time with Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives, and again they were eliminated following three consecutive losses: 1–0 versus the Maldives, 4–0 versus Bangladesh and then 2–0 versus Nepal to return home for a second time in a row without scoring a goal.[6]

Bhutan's next, and to date most recent series of matches was in 2016, again at the South Asian Games.[7] This time, they were drawn in a three team group, again playing matches against Bangladesh and Nepal.[7] they lost their first match 5–0 to Nepal, to date their heaviest defeat, though they rallied in their final match to draw 1–1 with Bangladesh,[7] and in doing so score only their second ever goal and their first in twelve years through Jigme Dorji.[4] However, this was not enough to seal progression to the knockout stages as Bangladesh beat Nepal in their final group game to claim second place and Bhutan were eliminated.[7]

Current squad

The following squad was selected for the 2016 South Asian Games:[8]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Tshering Dendup (1994-04-04) 4 April 1994 Yeedzin
21 1GK Gyaltshen Zangpo
23 1GK Tobgay
2 2DF Kinley Penjor
4 2DF Jigme Dorji (1995-02-26) 26 February 1995
5 2DF Tenzing Dorji
6 2DF Chimi Dorji (Captain) (1993-12-22) 22 December 1993 Druk Star
8 2DF Nima Wangdi
20 2DF Choki Wangchuk
9 3MF Tenzin Shezang
11 3MF Sonam Tobgay
12 3MF Lungtok Dawa (1998-12-18) 18 December 1998 Druk Star
14 3MF Dawa Tshering Ugyen Academy
16 3MF Tshering Dorji (1993-09-10) 10 September 1993 Thimphu City
17 3MF Biren Basnet (1994-10-20) 20 October 1994 Thimphu City
22 3MF Lhendup Dorji (1994-12-05) 5 December 1994 Druk Star
7 4FW Chencho Gyeltshen (1996-05-10) 10 May 1996 Satun United
15 4FW Kesang Penjor
18 4FW Dorji
19 4FW Kezang Wangdi Druk Star

Coaching staff
Head Coach Pema Dorji
Assistant Coach Pushpalal Sharma
Assistant Coach Nawang Dendup
Fitness Coach Joseph Ronald D'Angelus
Technical Director Vincent Subramaniam
Team Manager Jigme Norbu

Recent results and upcoming fixtures
Main article: Bhutan national under-23 football team results

2016
7 February 2016 2016 South Asian Games Bhutan  0–5    Nepal SAI Centre, Paltan Bazaar
14:00 UTC+5.5 Report  33', 75', 85' Shrestha
 44' Bishal Rai
 51' Bista		 Attendance: 195
9 February 2016 2016 South Asian Games Bangladesh  1–1  Bhutan SAI Centre, Paltan Bazaar
14:00 UTC+5.5 Jibon  42'  19' Dorji

Competitive record

Asian Games
Asian Games record
Year Result Position Pld W T L GF GA
Senior National Team
1951 – 1998 See Bhutan national football team
Under-23 National Team
2002 Did not enter
2006 Did not enter
2010 Did not enter
2014 Did not enter
2018 Did not enter
2022 To be Determined
Total0/00 Titles00000

South Asian Games
South Asian Games record
Year Result Position Pld W T L GF GA
Senior National Team
1984 – 1999 See Bhutan national football team
Under-23 National Team
2004 No medal 4th 4 0 1 3 1 5
2006 No medal 8th 3 0 0 3 0 9
2010 No medal 8th 3 0 0 3 0 7
2016 No medal 6th 2 0 1 1 1 6
2019 Silver 2nd 5 3 0 2 6 5
2021

International opponents
Last match updated:  Bangladesh on 9 February 2016.
Opponent Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Win % Loss %
 Bangladesh201115−40%50%
 India100114−30%100%
 Maldives200202−20%100%
   Nepal300307−70%100%
 Pakistan100104−40%100%
 Sri Lanka301205−50%67%
Total120210229-270%83%
Key
>50% Wins
50% Wins
<50% Wins

See also

References
  1. Wangdi, Kencho (28 June 2002). "World Cup 2002: The other final – Bhutan met Montserrat". raonline.ch. RA Online / Kuensel. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  2. "Bhutan". national-football-teams.com. national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  3. Tshedup, Younten (21 August 2015). "Bhutan loses to Cambodia 2–0". kuenselonline.com. Kuensel. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  4. Courtney, Barrie; Hai Naveed, Malik Riaz (25 June 2006). "9th South Asian Federation Games 2004 (Pakistan)". rsssf.com. RSSSF. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  5. Hai Naveed, Malik Riaz (19 February 2010). "10th South Asian Federation Games 2006 (Colombo)". rsssf.com. RSSSF. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  6. Hai Naveed, Malik Riaz (19 February 2010). "11th South Asian Federation Games 2010 (Bangladesh)". rsssf.com. RSSSF. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  7. Di Maggio, Roberto (18 February 2016). "12th South Asian Federation Games 2016 (India)". rsssf.com. RSSSF. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  8. "Nepal U-23 5-0 Bhutan U-23". goalnepal.com. GoalNepal.com. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
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