Bhutan's Dragon's Boys clash with Giant Dragon, China in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The National Football Team is fully prepared to face the giant dragon, China, at Helong Stadium in Changsha, at 5:30 PM local time. This is the second match for the two teams for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. China had won the first game, 6-0 at the Changlimithang stadium, in Thimphu. The team reached China, yesterday.

Our reporter, Yeshey Gyeltshen, who is following the Dragon Boys, says the squad of 23 players is working hard, right from the crack of the dawn.

The team will not need acclimatization as the weather in Changsha is quite similar to that of Thimphu, says our reporter.

The challenge, however, will be from the opposition team, who will not only have the home ground advantage, but having lost their previous match to Qatar, will not want the same results.

But, the Bhutanese players say they are ready.

The team will be led to the ground by striker, Chencho Gyeltshen. Chencho says he wishes to score in every single match, this one included.

“It’s a big responsibility having people expecting and relying on me to score. And it’s my job, as a striker, to score goals.”

The bigger boost for the team has come in the form of the head coach. Players say having a Bhutanese head coach has boosted the team’s morale.

“With the change of coach, I believe the attitude of the team has changed. It has made easier for us to discuss our views with the coach and plan accordingly for the next game,” said Midfielder, Karun Gurung.

The team’s new head coach, Pema admits tomorrow’s match will be a tough one, but says the results cannot be predicted.

“They have new players in the team. But we are ready, tactically, technically, and physically,” he said.

Source: BBS

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Bhutan Lost to Hong Kong 0-1 in home ground Changlimethang

Hong Kong Celebrate the Goal

Bhutan was three minutes short of securing its first point in the World Cup qualifiers in their fifth game against Hong Kong at the Changlimithang stadium yesterday.

If the thin air made it difficult for the Hongkongers, the rain that lashed for almost an hour made it difficult for the visitors to suppress the Dragon Boys like they did in the first leg in June. The physically taller and stronger players could not outpace the Bhutanese at home for much part of the game.

Led by a new head coach and skipper, Bhutan played a defensive game for the first 15 minutes.

The match saw equal opportunities created by both the teams to break the deadlock with both sides gaining equal possession of the game.

The strike-duo of Godfred Karikari and James Mckee, who terrorised the Bhutanese defence in June, created some trouble for goalie Hari Gurung in the beginning but Hari was equal to the challenge making some remarkable saves.

However, in the 89th minute, striker Chan Sui Ki’s header from defender Cheung Kin Fung’s corner kick finally broke the stiff Bhutanese resilience and broke the heart of the fans who braved the cold and the rain to cheer their team. Hari has come out to punch the ball to safety, but was too short for Sui Ki who left the keeper punching the cold air.

Bhutan’s interim head coach Pema said that the strategy was to defend for the first 15 minutes and then go on full attack, taking the advantage of the altitude.  “We gave our best today. We wanted to win and dedicate it to Their Majesties on their fourth Royal wedding anniversary,” he said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t win but we gave our best till the end.”

Skipper Karun Gurung said that they adopted “zonal marking”, a defensive strategy where defenders cover an area of the pitch rather than marking a specific opponent. “This strategy worked perfectly until the 89th minute,” he said. “We played typical Bhutanese game, we’ll get back stronger for the next remaining games.”

Hong Kong’s head coach Kim Pan-Gon said that the rain and the high altitude was the main factor that prevented his team from scoring more goals.

“We lost several goal scoring opportunities because of the rain and the cold and small mistakes from our players,” the South Korean coach said. “But we overcame this difficulty and we’re going with three important points.”

The head coach credited the Bhutanese team for their “excellent performance.” He said Bhutan has improved a lot and he admired the attitude and passion of the players. “With more practise, the team will just get better,” he said.

Hong Kong retains its second position in Group C with the 10 points while Bhutan is rooted at the bottom without a point.

Source: Kuenselonline

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Bhutan beated by Maldives 4-3 in World Cup Qualifiers

Tshering Dorji, in the 83rd minute took advantage of a chaos inside the penalty box. A thumping shot into an empty post opened the score sheet for the Dragon boys. The suit followed after three minutes when Chencho Gyeltshen, running past the Maldivian defenders, sent a low attempt to the back of the net. The third goal was scored by Biren Basnet when Chencho’s attempt rebounded after hitting the woodwork.

Despite Bhutan’s impressive performance and ending the team’s goal drought, Bhutan could not end its losing streak in the world cup qualifier.

The Maldives emerged triumphant over Bhutan by 4 goals to 3.

Bhutan conceded early goal as usual. The Maldives scored the first goal in 11 minutes. They further stretched their lead in 23rd and 33rd minutes without any reply from the Bhutanese side in the first half.

A goal converted from penalty in the second half by the Maldives seemed to have extinguished Bhutan’s hope for comeback. But the drama unfolded towards the end of the second half as Bhutan rattled the Maldives defense and scored three goals within seven minutes.

Bhutan’s desperately tried to equalize the match in the last minute but the Maldives resisted Bhutan’s attack till the final whistle of the game.

Source: BBS

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Bhutan will play against Maldives Today

Bhutan will try to break its duck against Maldives today at the Changlimethang and record the first win in the World Cup qualifiers.

Bhutan had played Maldives, commonly known as Red Snappers, but have never registered a win against the island nation. “We played against them for two to three times and lost all,” a senior Bhutanese international, Passang Tshering said. “But today should be our best opportunity because all our players in form,” he said.

The Maldivian squad arrived in the country yesterday, which was quickly followed by a practice session.

Bhutan’s head coach Norio Tsukitate, in a pre-match press conference yesterday said his players are improving day by day. “The advantage of having young players on the team is that they are constantly evolving with each match,” he said.

Maldives’ new head coach, Ricki Herbert, who took the New Zealand national team into the 2010 World Cup, is expecting an exciting match since both teams placed are at the bottom of the group.

“We’re still in the process of knowing each other. We had our first practise session on Tuesday in Kolkata,” he said. “We’re determined and remain positive about the game despite the short time we spent together.”

“It’s an international game, we expect it to be exciting not only for the players but also to the fans watching,” he said.

Ricki Herbert said his team has developed respect for team Bhutan who is growing in the international front.

Source: Kuenselonline

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