Thinley Namgay

Bhutan will host the AFC Challenge League Group Stage competition for the first time at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, between October 26 and November 1.

The tournament will feature Paro FC, the defending champions of the Bhutan Premier League, along with three international teams: East Bengal FC from India, Nejmeh Sporting Club from Lebanon, and Bashundhara Kings FC from Bangladesh.

Established in 2018, Paro FC will be remembered as the first team from Bhutan to ever play in the Group Stage of the AFC Challenge League, which is regarded as one of the major tournaments in the Asian region. The team qualified after a 2-1 win against Nepal’s Church Boys United in August.

Paro FC’s first match will be against East Bengal FC on October 26 at 5 PM (BST).

Based in Kolkata, East Bengal FC is a prominent competitor in the Indian Super League and is recognised as one of India’s strongest teams.

Each team will face the others once. Following their match against East Bengal FC, Paro FC will compete against Nejmeh Sporting Club on October 29 and Bashundhara Kings on November 1.

Nejmeh Sporting Club, one of Lebanon’s oldest clubs, was founded in 1945 and competes in the Lebanese Premier League.

Bashundhara Kings, based in Dhaka, has been part of the Bangladesh Premier League since 2013.

Paro FC’s players and officials are optimistic about the upcoming matches. Their training has remained focused, aided by their participation in the ongoing BoB Bhutan Premier League.

Paro FC’s head coach, Puspalal Sharma, said the team is prepared, and the mood among the players is promising. “We are on the verge of winning the 2024 BoB Bhutan Premier League, which would mark our fifth title.”

With two matches remaining in the Bhutan Premier league, Paro FC currently leads with 43 points from 16 games, with their next match against BFF Academy FC in Paro.

Puspalal Sharma added that the opponents for the AFC Challenge League Group Stage are all strong, but the team will ensure a competitive performance. The opponents are all new to Paro FC.

“AFC Challenge League Group Stage provides an opportunity for our players to learn from others and become more competitive. I am hopeful that my team will do their best,” Puspalal Sharma said.

The team currently has eight international players. Japanese football icon Keisuke Honda will not participate in the upcoming competition but may return for Paro FC’s final game in the 2024 Bhutan Premier League.

The AFC Challenge League Group Stage will include 21 teams from across Asia, hosted in various countries.