Bhutan national under-23 football team

Bhutan Under-23
Nickname(s)	Druk Eleven; Druk Yul; Dragon Boys
Association	Bhutan Football Federation
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	SAFF (South Asia)
Head coach	Pema Dorji
Captain	Chencho Gyeltshen
Home stadium	Changlimithang Stadium
FIFA code	BHU
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
Appearances	5 (first in 2004 )
Best result	2019 (Silver)

Last updated May 05, 2023

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.

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)	Club
1	1 GK	Tshering Dendup	(1994-04-04) 4 April 1994 (age 29)	Yeedzin
21	1 GK	Gyaltshen Zangpo
23	1 GK	Tobgay

2	2 DF	Kinley Penjor
4	2 DF	Jigme Dorji	(1995-02-26) 26 February 1995 (age 28)
5	2 DF	Tenzing Dorji
6	2 DF	Chimi Dorji (Captain)	(1993-12-22) 22 December 1993 (age 29)	Druk Star
8	2 DF	Nima Wangdi
20	2 DF	Choki Wangchuk

9	3 MF	Tenzin Shezang
11	3 MF	Sonam Tobgay
12	3 MF	Lungtok Dawa	(1998-12-18) 18 December 1998 (age 24)	Druk Star
14	3 MF	Dawa Tshering		Ugyen Academy FC
16	3 MF	Tshering Dorji	(1993-09-10) 10 September 1993 (age 29)	Thimphu City
17	3 MF	Biren Basnet	(1994-10-20) 20 October 1994 (age 28)	Thimphu City
22	3 MF	Lhendup Dorji	(1994-12-05) 5 December 1994 (age 28)	Druk Star

7	4 FW	Chencho Gyeltshen	(1996-05-10) 10 May 1996 (age 26)	Satun United
15	4 FW	Kesang Penjor
18	4 FW	Dorji
19	4 FW	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

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
Total	0/0	0 Titles	0	0	0	0	0

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: Nepal on 10 December 2019.

Opponent	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Win %	Loss %
Bangladesh	3	1	1	1	2	5	−3	33%	33%
India	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	0%	100%
Maldives	3	1	0	2	2	3	−1	33%	66%
Nepal	5	0	0	5	1	13	−12	0%	100%
Pakistan	1	0	0	1	0	4	−4	0%	100%
Sri Lanka	4	1	1	2	3	5	−2	25%	50%
Total	17	3	2	12	9	36	-27	18%	70%

**Key**
	>50% Wins
	50% Wins
	<50% Wins

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References

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

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[RAOOther-1] Wangdi, Kencho (28 June 2002). "World Cup 2002: The other final – Bhutan met Montserrat". raonline.ch. RA Online / Kuensel. Retrieved 23 July 2014.

[NFT-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.

[RSSSF_2004-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Courtney, Barrie; Hai Naveed, Malik Riaz (25 June 2006). "9th South Asian Federation Games 2004 (Pakistan)". RSSSF . Retrieved 8 April 2016.

[RSSSF_2006-5] 1 2 Hai Naveed, Malik Riaz (19 February 2010). "10th South Asian Federation Games 2006 (Colombo)". RSSSF . Retrieved 8 April 2015.

[RSSSF_2010-6] 1 2 Hai Naveed, Malik Riaz (19 February 2010). "11th South Asian Federation Games 2010 (Bangladesh)". RSSSF . Retrieved 8 April 2015.

[RSSSF_2016-7] 1 2 3 4 Di Maggio, Roberto (18 February 2016). "12th South Asian Federation Games 2016 (India)". 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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v t e Football in Bhutan
Bhutan Football Federation
National teams	Men's results U-23 results U-20 U-17 Women's results U-20 U-17 Futsal
League competitions	Bhutan Premier League Bhutan Super League Women's National Football League
Other competitions	Gold Cup
Notable matches	Bhutan 4–0 Montserrat
List of clubs