Bhutan national under-23 football team

Bhutan made their debut at the 9th South Asian Federation Games in 2004. The senior national team had previously competed on multiple occasions in the football tournaments of the South Asian Games, but this was the first time that the tournament was restricted to under-23 teams.[4] The tournament was originally scheduled for 2001, but was cancelled due to the conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan. It was rescheduled for 2003, but Bhutan withdrew. This time, due to the war in Iraq, the tournament was postponed for a second time but was rescheduled a second time for 2004, which Bhutan re-entered.[4] Drawn in a three team group including Nepal and Sri Lanka (following the Maldives' withdrawal), an opening 0–0 draw with Nepal was a positive start.[4] With Sri Lanka beating both Bhutan and Nepal 1–0 in the remaining two group games, Bhutan finished with an identical record to Nepal, but progressed to the knockout rounds winning the toss of a coin.[4] A 4–1 loss to India in the semi finals, with Pema Chophel scoring the team's first ever goal,[4] saw them face Sri Lanka again in the bronze medal play off match. This time they produced a better performance drawing 0–0 after sudden death extra time, but ultimately lost 3–2 in the resulting penalty shoot out to finish in fourth place overall.[4]

Their next international fixtures were in the 2006 South Asian Games.[5] This time they were less successful. Drawn in a group with Sri Lanka, Pakistan national under-23 football team and the Maldives, Bhutan were eliminated after losing all three of their games: 1–0 against the Maldives and 4–0 against both Pakistan and Sri Lanka to return home without scoring a goal.[5]

There was a four-year gap this time between editions of the South Asian Games, but Bhutan sent their under-23 team to Bangladesh in 2010.[6] Again they were drawn in a four team group, this time with Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives, and again they were eliminated following three consecutive losses: 1–0 versus the Maldives, 4–0 versus Bangladesh and then 2–0 versus Nepal to return home for a second time in a row without scoring a goal.[6]

Bhutan's next, and to date most recent series of matches was in 2016, again at the South Asian Games.[7] This time, they were drawn in a three team group, again playing matches against Bangladesh and Nepal.[7] they lost their first match 5–0 to Nepal, to date their heaviest defeat, though they rallied in their final match to draw 1–1 with Bangladesh,[7] and in doing so score only their second ever goal and their first in twelve years through Jigme Dorji.[4] However, this was not enough to seal progression to the knockout stages as Bangladesh beat Nepal in their final group game to claim second place and Bhutan were eliminated.[7]

The following squad was selected for the 2016 South Asian Games:[8]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Tshering Dendup	(1994-04-04) 4 April 1994			Yeedzin
21	1GK	Gyaltshen Zangpo
23	1GK	Tobgay
2	2DF	Kinley Penjor
4	2DF	Jigme Dorji	(1995-02-26) 26 February 1995
5	2DF	Tenzing Dorji
6	2DF	Chimi Dorji (Captain)	(1993-12-22) 22 December 1993			Druk Star
8	2DF	Nima Wangdi
20	2DF	Choki Wangchuk
9	3MF	Tenzin Shezang
11	3MF	Sonam Tobgay
12	3MF	Lungtok Dawa	(1998-12-18) 18 December 1998			Druk Star
14	3MF	Dawa Tshering				Ugyen Academy
16	3MF	Tshering Dorji	(1993-09-10) 10 September 1993			Thimphu City
17	3MF	Biren Basnet	(1994-10-20) 20 October 1994			Thimphu City
22	3MF	Lhendup Dorji	(1994-12-05) 5 December 1994			Druk Star
7	4FW	Chencho Gyeltshen	(1996-05-10) 10 May 1996			Satun United
15	4FW	Kesang Penjor
18	4FW	Dorji
19	4FW	Kezang Wangdi				Druk Star

Last match updated:  Bangladesh on 9 February 2016.

Opponent	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Win %	Loss %
Bangladesh	2	0	1	1	1	5	−4	0%	50%
India	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	0%	100%
Maldives	2	0	0	2	0	2	−2	0%	100%
Nepal	3	0	0	3	0	7	−7	0%	100%
Pakistan	1	0	0	1	0	4	−4	0%	100%
Sri Lanka	3	0	1	2	0	5	−5	0%	67%
Total	12	0	2	10	2	29	-27	0%	83%

• Bhutan national football team
• Bhutan women's national football team
• Bhutan national under-19 football team
• Bhutan national under-17 football team
• Bhutan national futsal team