The Dragon Boys lost 4-1 to Nepal team in the penalty shoot out

Thinley Namgay

Bhutan’s under-20 men’s national football team is out of the ongoing SAFF 2024 U-20 Championship in Nepal having lost 4-1 in the semifinal against host country, Nepal.

Despite maintaining a score of 1-1 until the regulation time against the host Nepal, it was hard luck for the Dragon Boys at the semifinals yesterday. Bhutan lost in the  crucial penalty shoot-out,  4-1.

Although the Nepal team was backed by the home crowd, Bhutan played confidently. The Dragon Boys demonstrated skillful play, precise passing, and solid team spirit until the last minute.

Neither team could find the net in the first half.   However, Bhutan broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when midfielder Jitsuen Dorji scored a stunning long-range goal.

The opponent equalised in the last 13 minutes of the game, three minutes  after striker Kinzang Tenzin left the pitch following a red card.

Losing a crucial player Kinzang Tenzin at a defining moment put the Dragon Boys in an uncomfortable situation. Down to 10 men and pressed against by the opponent, the Dragon Boys left no stone unturned to defend their post. 

Nepal will play the final on August 28 against either India or Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh will play in the semifinals today.

Bhutan played a decisive game against all three teams – India, the Maldives and Nepal.  The team lost to India 1-0 after a highly competitive game.  Bhutan dominated the match against the Maldives and won 2-1.

Captained by Pema Zangpo, the good performance of Bhutan at the SAFF 2024 Championship also reflects the gradual coming age of Bhutanese football.

Bhutan mostly resorted to attacking games this time. Football enthusiasts said that the few red cards Bhutan received in this tournament could be due to the change in game tactics.