Bhutan women's national football team

Last updated

Bhutan
Nickname(s) Dragon Ladies
Association Bhutan Football Federation
Confederation AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation SAFF (South Asia)
Head coach Kim Tae-in
Captain Pema Choden Tshering
Top scorer Deki Lhazom (11)
Home stadium Changlimithang Stadium
FIFA code BHU
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First colours
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Second colours
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Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 171 Steady2.svg (12 June 2025) [1]
Highest113 (March 2017; March 2018)
Lowest178 (March 2023)
First international
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 7–0 Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg
(Dhaka, Bangladesh; 6 December 2010)
Biggest win
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 0–13 Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg
(Kathmandu, Nepal; 24 October 2024)
Biggest defeat
Flag of India.svg  India 18–0 Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg
(Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh; 13 December 2010)
SAFF Championship
Appearances6 (first in 2010 )
Best resultSemi-finals (2022)

The Bhutan women's national football team represents Bhutan in international women's 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.

Contents

Bhutan play their home games at the national stadium, Changlimithang. It is one of the younger national teams in the world having played its first match in 2010.

History

Introduction to Bhutanese Football

Bhutanese football in general came to the international stage comparatively late in the day with the men's national team only playing their first competitive international match in 1982 [2] and the only junior team to compete internationally, the Under-17s making their debut in 2003. [3]

The women's team did not enter any form of international competition until 2010. [4] Prior to their entry into international football, a formal women's competition was established in Bhutan for the first time, supported by a grant from FIFA and run by the Bhutan Football Federation. [5] Because of the very under-developed state of women's football in Bhutan at this time, club teams did not exist and so the tournament consisted of teams representing individual Dzongkhags. [5] This competition was used not only to increase the popularity of football amongst women in the country, but also to act as means of identifying and coaching players who would form the first ever Bhutan women's national football squad. [5]

Competitive debut

Their first ever competitive game was a friendly match against Bangladesh in Dhaka on 6 December 2010 as a warm up for their appearance at the inaugural SAFF Women's Championships a week later. [4] Unfortunately, their debut was one to forget as, having travelled to Cox's Bazar where all of the group matches were scheduled to take place, they succumbed 7–0 to their hosts. [4] Their competition proper got off to an even worse start as they lost 18–0 to India, one of the strongest teams in the region. [4] Bangladesh then repeated their performance in the pre-competition friendly running out 9–0 victors and eliminating Bhutan from the competition. [4] The team were able to salvage some pride in their final game, drawing 1–1 with Sri Lanka, which marks their only positive result of any kind as well as their first competitive goal (one of two times they have scored a goal in a competitive match). [4]

Their performance at the SAFF Championships saw them gain 889 ranking points. [6] Although they were at this stage only provisionally ranked in 127th and last place as they had not played the required number of five competitive matches against officially ranked teams, their performance saw them achieve a higher points total than four other provisionally ranked teams: the U.S. Virgin Islands, Liberia, Qatar and Afghanistan. [6] Had they been officially ranked, their points tally would have placed them in 122nd place ahead of ranked nations Tanzania, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda and Botswana. [6]

Withdrawal and return to international football

The women's team then withdrew from international football for the next two years, re-emerging to play in the 2012 SAFF Women's Championship. Prior to the tournament in Sri Lanka, the team of twenty five, including two referees and physiotherapists, but with the playing squad consisting entirely of students, flew to Bangkok for two weeks training to get accustomed to warmer weather. [7] They entered the tournament provisionally ranked 34th out of 35 in the Asian Football Confederation, with only Afghanistan ranked below them, and unranked on the global listing because they had been inactive for more than eighteen months. [6] At this point, with their points total of 889, they had a higher technical rating than twelve teams who were either unranked due to inactivity or provisionally ranked in last place due to insufficient competition and had more ranking points than five officially ranked teams: Iraq, Mozambique, Malawi, Antigua and Barbuda and Botswana. [6]

The team travelled to Sri Lanka to play their fixtures at the Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club Grounds and were drawn in a group with the same teams as the previous edition of the tournament. Sri Lanka took advantage of their status as hosts in the first match, beating Bhutan 4–0, taking the lead after just four minutes through Nilushika Kumari, with Praveena Perera wrapping up the scoring at the end of the game following two goals either side of half time from Erandi Kumudumala. [8] Bhutan performed better in their next game, a narrow 1–0 loss to Bangladesh, but this eliminated them from the tournament. [9] Their final match against India was very one-sided, though not as great a defeat as last time, India still ran out victors 11–0 sending Bhutan home without a point or a goal. [10]

Rankings, performance, and current status

Having now played the required five games against already ranked teams, Bhutan received their first official ranking position: 128th, ahead of Antigua and Barbuda and Botswana. [6] Bhutan have not played a competitive match since the 2014 SAFF Championships, but due to movements around them, did climb to a high ranking of 115th in December 2013. [6]

Bhutan took part in the 2014 SAFF Women's Championship in Pakistan, losing all three games, including a 4–1 loss to host Pakistan in which Tshering Yangdon scored just the second official goal in the team's history.[ citation needed ]

On 24 October 2024, Bhutan trashed Maldives with the score of 13-0,which record their biggest victory ever in the history.

Team image

Home stadium

The Bhutan women's national football team plays their home matches on the Changlimithang Stadium.[ citation needed ]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win  Draw  Lose  Fixture

2024

18 October 2024 SAFF W GS Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg0–0Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan Kathmandu, Nepal
17:30  UTC+5:45 Stadium: Dasharath Rangasala
21 October 2024 SAFF W GS Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg4–1Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka Kathmandu, Nepal
Stadium: Dashrath Stadium
24 October 2024 SAFF W GS Maldives  Flag of Maldives.svg0–13Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan Kathmandu, Nepal
13:30  UTC+5:45
Stadium: Dashrath Stadium
Referee: Jaya Chakma (Bangladesh)
27 October 2024 SAFF W SF Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg7–1Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan Kathmandu, Nepal
13:30  UTC+5:45 Stadium: Dasharath Rangasala

2025

28 May Tri-Nation Cup Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg0–0Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong Thimphu, Bhutan
18:00  UTC+6 Report Stadium: Changlimithang Stadium
3 June Tri-Nation Cup Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg1–3Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia Thimphu, Bhutan
18:00  UTC+6 Bidha Soccerball shade.svg24' Report
Stadium: Changlimithang Stadium
13 July 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification Iran  Flag of Iran.svg7–1Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan Amman, Jordan
16:00  UTC+3
Report
Stadium: King Abdullah II Stadium

Head-to-head record

As of 20 July 2025 after match against Jordan  :

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)

The following table shows Bhutan' all-time official international record per opponent:

OpponentPldWDLGFGAGDW%Confederation
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 8008443–390.00 AFC
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 101000050.00 AFC
Flag of India.svg  India 2002029–290.00 AFC
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 100117–60.00 AFC
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 210124–250.00 AFC
Flag of Laos.svg  Laos 101000050.00 AFC
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 310245–133.33 AFC
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 100113–20.00 AFC
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 2101143+1150.00 AFC
Flag of Nepal.svg  Nepal 5014027–270.00 AFC
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 100114–30.00 AFC
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 321085+366.67 AFC
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 110032+1100.00 AFC
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 62131011–133.33 AFC
Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste 110031+2100.00 AFC
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 100109–90.00 AFC
Total39952551153–10223.07

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of July 2025
PositionName
Head coach Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Tae-in
Assistant coach Flag of Bhutan.svg Tanka Maya Ghalley
Goalkeeping coach Flag of Bhutan.svg Mon Bhattrai
Physiotherapist Flag of Bhutan.svg Chhador Zangmo
Team manager Flag of Bhutan.svg Tashi Wangmo
Media officer Flag of Bhutan.svg Cheki wangmo

Manager history

NamePeriodTournament
Flag of Bhutan.svg Kota Namgay 2010–2012 2010 SAFF Women's Championship: Eighth Place (Last)
2012 SAFF Women's Championship: Eighth Place (Last)
Flag of Bhutan.svg Dorji Khandu 2014 2012 SAFF Women's Championship: Seventh Place
Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Sung-jea 2016–2019 2016 SAFF Women's Championship: Seventh Place (Last)
2019 SAFF Women's Championship: Sixth Place
Flag of Bhutan.svg Denka Na [11] 2019
Flag of South Korea.svg Hong Kyung-suk [12] 2022–2023 2022 SAFF Women's Championship: Semi-finalist
Flag of Bhutan.svg Karma Choden 2023 2023 SAFF Women's Friendly Tournament: Finalist
Flag of England.svg Nicola Demaine 2024
Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Tae-in 2025–

Players

Current squad

Caps and goals are updated as of 10 July 2025 after the match against Lebanon.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11 GK Sangita Monger (1999-06-28) 28 June 1999 (age 26)180 Flag of Bhutan.svg Ugyen Academy
211 GK Karma Yuden (2004-11-02) 2 November 2004 (age 20)00 Flag of Bhutan.svg Transport United FC
221 GK Kinzang Dema (2004-02-15) 15 February 2004 (age 21)30 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College

22 DF Sonam Choden20
32 DF Kelzang Tshering Wangmo (2004-09-20) 20 September 2004 (age 20)70 Flag of Bhutan.svg
2 DF Tashi Wangmo (2005-10-21) 21 October 2005 (age 19)50 Flag of Bhutan.svg Transport United
52 DF Suk Maya Ghalley (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26)240 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College
122 DF Jamyang Choden (2001-04-03) 3 April 2001 (age 24)171 Flag of Bhutan.svg Ugyen Academy
162 DF Dorji Edon (2001-10-09) 9 October 2001 (age 23)172 Flag of Bhutan.svg Ugyen Academy
182 DF Tshering Choden (2004-09-09) 9 September 2004 (age 20)10 Flag of Bhutan.svg

43 MF Ganga Ghalley (2005-02-09) 9 February 2005 (age 20)10 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College
63 MF Pema Choden Tshering (captain) (1996-02-05) 5 February 1996 (age 29)245 Flag of Bhutan.svg Transport United
83 MF Deki Yangdon (2003-06-27) 27 June 2003 (age 22)171 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College
103 MF Sonam Lhamo (2004-05-29) 29 May 2004 (age 21)80 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College
153 MF Sonam Choden (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 23)111 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College

74 FW Tshering Yangden (1999-08-16) 16 August 1999 (age 25)162 Flag of Bhutan.svg Ugyen Academy
94 FW Deki Lhazom (2004-01-04) 4 January 2004 (age 21)194 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College
114 FW Namgyel Dema (2000-08-13) 13 August 2000 (age 24)156 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College
134 FW Sunita Rai (2001-08-07) 7 August 2001 (age 23)142 Flag of Bhutan.svg Transport United
144 FW Tshering Lhaden (2003-05-11) 11 May 2003 (age 22)91 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College
174 FW Ugyen Lhamo1800
194 FW Yeshey Bidha (2004-03-27) 27 March 2004 (age 21)113 Flag of Indonesia.svg Persiratu Putri
204 FW Pema Choeki (2004-10-09) 9 October 2004 (age 20)30 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu College

Recent call-ups

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up

DF Rigzin Wangmo (2003-10-28) 28 October 2003 (age 21)10 Flag of Bhutan.svg Ugyen Academyv. Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives, 24 July 2024
DF Karma Zangmo40 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu Collegev. Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives, 24 July 2024
DF Sangay Dema(age 22)00 Flag of Bhutan.svg Transport Unitedv. Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh, 27 October 2024
DF Phuntsho Choden20 Flag of Bhutan.svg v. Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia, 3 June 2025
DF Sangay Wangmo20 Flag of Bhutan.svg BFF Academyv. Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia, 3 June 2025

MF Tschendu Tshering Pelzom00 Flag of Bhutan.svg v. Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh, 27 October 2024
MF Tshering Yangchen (2004-12-19) 19 December 2004 (age 20)20 Flag of Bhutan.svg Royal Thimphu Collegev. Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia, 3 June 2025

Records

Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2020.

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification
YearResultGPWDLGSGAGDGPWDLGSGAGD
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 1991 to Flag of Germany.svg 2011 Did not existDid not exist
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2015 to Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 2023 Did not enterDid not enter
Flag of Brazil.svg 2027 Did not qualifyVia AFC Women's Asian Cup
Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2031 To be determinedTo be determined
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2035
Total0/10

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record Qualification
YearRoundPldWD*LGFGAGDPldWD*LGFGAGD
Flag of the United States.svg 1996 to Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2008 Did not existDid not exist
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2012 to Flag of Japan.svg 2020 Did not enterDid not enter
Flag of France.svg 2024 Did not qualify3201511−6
Flag of the United States.svg 2028 Via AFC Women's Asian Cup
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2032 To be determinedTo be determined
Total0/93201511−6
*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

AFC Women's Asian Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup record Qualification
Hosts / YearResultGPWD*LGSGAGDGPWD*LGSGAGD
Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg 1975 to Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2010 Did not existDid not exist
Flag of Vietnam.svg 2014 to Flag of India.svg 2022 Did not enterDid not enter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2026 Did not qualify4202613−7
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg 2029 To be determinedTo be determined
Total0/214202613−7
*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

SAFF Women's Championship

SAFF Women's Championship record
Hosts / YearResultGPWD*LGSGAGD
Flag of Bangladesh.svg 2010 Group stage3012128−27
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg 2012 3003016−16
Flag of Pakistan.svg 2014 3003115−14
Flag of India.svg 2016 3003113−12
Flag of Nepal.svg 2019 200205−5
Flag of Nepal.svg 2022 Semi-finals3102512−7
Flag of Nepal.svg 2024 Semi-finals4211188+10
Total7/71732162697−71
*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks. Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicates 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament.

See also

National teams
Men's
Women's

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  2. "World Football Elo Ratings: Bhutan". eloratings.net. World Football Elo Ratingsand Advanced Satellite Consulting. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  3. Diaz Rubio, Julian; Hashim, Refel; Zea, Antonio; Lee, Seungsoo (11 February 2006). "Asian U-17 Championship 2004". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bhutan Women's Fixtures and Results". FIFA. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Sarpang wins inter-dzongkhag women's football". Bhutan Observer . 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 March 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  7. Phuntsho, Tashi (September 2012). "Women's national football team in Bangkok". Kuensel . Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  8. "Sri Lanka vs Bhutan – 2014 SAFF Women's Championship". goalnepal.com. 7 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  9. "Bangladesh vs Bhutan – 2014 SAFF Women's Championship". goalnepal.com. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  10. "Bhutan vs India – 2014 SAFF Women's Championship". goalnepal.com. 9 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  11. FIFA.com. "Member Association - Bhutan". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  12. "National women's team preparing for SAFF championship".