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2009 SAFF Cup Special: Know Your Opponents - Team Bhutan
Continuing with our SAFF Cup special series, in which we profile each of the other seven teams in the competition, Goal.com's Amoy Ghoshal looks at minnows Bhutan...
30-Nov-2009 11:23:55 PM
FIFA Ranking: 196
Best Result In SAFF Cup: Semi Finalists In 2008
Result In Last SAFF Cup: Semi Finalists
History:
Going by history, Bhutan are minnows at not only world and Asian level but also in the South Asian football circuit. Along with Afghanistan, they made their first appearance in the SAFF Cup only in 2003 and are the lowest ranked team in this edition. Their national team was officially founded in 1983 and became a part of FIFA in 2000. On 30th June, 2002 a group of Dutch filmmakers ogranised a match between the two lowest ranked teams of that time – Bhutan and Montserrat. The match was referred to as ‘The Other Final’ as on the same day Brazil took on Germany in the FIFA World Cup Final. Bhutan, who were the second lowest ranked team at that time, won the match 4-0. However their finest moment came in the last SAFF Cup, when they went past the group stages for the first time in their history and were only beaten after extra time by India in the semis. It was a massive contrast to their performances in 2003 and 2005 when they finished bottom of their group, losing all three games. Bhutan are still one of the lesser teams in subcontinental football but their performances in the last edition shows that they are always improving.
Current Team:
Bhutan is currently coached by Japanese Koji Gyotoku and the squad consists of a number of players that featured in the last SAFF Cup. They like to play a short and swift passing game which is tailor made for counter attacks. Earlier this year they did take part in the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers but fared miserably there as they finished last in their group, without earning a single point. They failed to score in the tournament and let in 13 goals so the confidence won’t be sky high coming into this tournament. The defence is a real worry and so experienced defender Pema Rinchen needs to be consistent. The midfield lacks physical presence but Passang Tshering is a talented player. Their only strengths lies in their wing play and attack which on their day can cause problems for any defence in the subcontinent. Attack minded players like Yeshey Dorji, Nima Sangay and Gyeltshen will have to be at their best.
Key Player:
Gyeltshen – Gyeltshen is a very important player for Bhutan as he is a natural goalscorer. The striker scored two in the last edition and will be hoping to at least match that tally this time.
The Group:
Like in 2008, Bhutan once again have Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in their group. Last time they finished behind the Lankans but above Bangladesh so they would be aware that this edition’s hosts will be aiming for revenge on the opening game of the tournament. If Bhutan can get anything from that match, then they would be fancying their chances to go through to the semis.
Verdict:
Bhutan are not expected to go past the group stage but the other countries won’t be taking them lightly this time after their brilliant performance in the last edition. They don’t have anything to lose so even a third place finish in the group will be respectable.
Amoy Ghoshal
Best Result In SAFF Cup: Semi Finalists In 2008
Result In Last SAFF Cup: Semi Finalists
History:
Going by history, Bhutan are minnows at not only world and Asian level but also in the South Asian football circuit. Along with Afghanistan, they made their first appearance in the SAFF Cup only in 2003 and are the lowest ranked team in this edition. Their national team was officially founded in 1983 and became a part of FIFA in 2000. On 30th June, 2002 a group of Dutch filmmakers ogranised a match between the two lowest ranked teams of that time – Bhutan and Montserrat. The match was referred to as ‘The Other Final’ as on the same day Brazil took on Germany in the FIFA World Cup Final. Bhutan, who were the second lowest ranked team at that time, won the match 4-0. However their finest moment came in the last SAFF Cup, when they went past the group stages for the first time in their history and were only beaten after extra time by India in the semis. It was a massive contrast to their performances in 2003 and 2005 when they finished bottom of their group, losing all three games. Bhutan are still one of the lesser teams in subcontinental football but their performances in the last edition shows that they are always improving.
Current Team:
Bhutan is currently coached by Japanese Koji Gyotoku and the squad consists of a number of players that featured in the last SAFF Cup. They like to play a short and swift passing game which is tailor made for counter attacks. Earlier this year they did take part in the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers but fared miserably there as they finished last in their group, without earning a single point. They failed to score in the tournament and let in 13 goals so the confidence won’t be sky high coming into this tournament. The defence is a real worry and so experienced defender Pema Rinchen needs to be consistent. The midfield lacks physical presence but Passang Tshering is a talented player. Their only strengths lies in their wing play and attack which on their day can cause problems for any defence in the subcontinent. Attack minded players like Yeshey Dorji, Nima Sangay and Gyeltshen will have to be at their best.
Key Player:
Gyeltshen – Gyeltshen is a very important player for Bhutan as he is a natural goalscorer. The striker scored two in the last edition and will be hoping to at least match that tally this time.
The Group:
Like in 2008, Bhutan once again have Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in their group. Last time they finished behind the Lankans but above Bangladesh so they would be aware that this edition’s hosts will be aiming for revenge on the opening game of the tournament. If Bhutan can get anything from that match, then they would be fancying their chances to go through to the semis.
Verdict:
Bhutan are not expected to go past the group stage but the other countries won’t be taking them lightly this time after their brilliant performance in the last edition. They don’t have anything to lose so even a third place finish in the group will be respectable.
Amoy Ghoshal
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