Thinley Namgay

Bhutanese football fans are feeling hopeful about the women’s team. They believe they’ll play as strong as the men’s team did in their last games against Hong Kong, China. Last October, the men’s team won 2-0 against Hong Kong, impressing everyone.

The country is getting ready for some exciting FIFA Friendly matches. The Bhutan National Women’s Football team will play against Hong Kong, China, twice – first on March 31 and then on April 3.

The matches will take place at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. It’s the first time the Bhutanese women’s team will go head-to-head with Hong Kong.

Training started last month with a fresh squad being picked. Fans think Bhutan has the upper hand playing at home, and the chilly weather in Thimphu could also work in their favour.

When international teams come to Bhutan, getting used to the high altitude can be a challenge for them.

Some fans doubt that the upcoming games will be good compared to Bhutan’s performance in the recent SAFF Women’s Under-16 tournament in Nepal. In that tournament, Bhutan faced tough losses against India, Bangladesh, and host Nepal.

Despite the excitement from football fans, the matches are anticipated to be challenging. The Hong Kong Women’s team is considered one of the top teams in the region and globally, currently ranked 79th in the FIFA rankings. In comparison, Bhutan is ranked 172nd.

However, the players and officials are still highly motivated and determined to perform their best.

Players and officials have observed notable improvements in the senior women’s team over the past few years. In their first FIFA Friendly matches against Saudi Arabia in 2022 and 2023, Bhutan emerged victorious on both occasions, winning 4-2 and 1-0, respectively.

FIFA Friendlies offer players a chance to display their skills, build relationships, and enhance their abilities. Additionally, Bhutanese players will gain valuable experience for the upcoming 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship.

The matches also present an opportunity for the Bhutan Football Federation to promote women’s football in the country, which still lags behind men’s football in terms of popularity and support.