Thinley Namgay

Bhutan’s Under-20 men’s national football team began their 2024 SAFF U-20 Championship campaign on a promising note in Nepal yesterday, conceding only a single goal against defending champions India. 

Captained by Pema Zangpo, Bhutan’s squad delivered one of their most impressive performances against India to date. The team demonstrated skillful play, precise passing, and solid team spirit.

The solitary goal from India’s Monirul Molla in the 36th minute proved decisive, as Bhutan’s relentless efforts to equalise fell short. The second half saw Bhutan intensify their attack, creating several scoring opportunities but failing to convert them.

The match was also marked by an unusual incident when the referee issued three red cards—two to Indian players and one to a Bhutanese player—following a heated altercation in the 64th minute.

Coach Takahashi Hideharu, who has been instrumental in developing Bhutan’s junior teams since 2021, expressed disappointment with the final score despite praising his team’s performance. “ The boys played a more pressing game in the second half, as instructed during the break.”

Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are competing in the sixth edition of the SAFF Championship.   

Bhutan is placed in Group B alongside India and the Maldives while host  Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are in Group A. 

Bhutan’s hope for the SAFF U-20 title is still alive. Bhutan will face the Maldives in their next game tomorrow. If Bhutan beats the Maldives and India loses to the Maldives, Bhutan could qualify for the semifinals.

In the 2023 SAFF Championship in Nepal, Bhutan lost to Nepal 2-1.

In other tournament action on August 18, Nepal edged out Sri Lanka 1-0. Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in today’s fixture.