𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭

…𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒐 𝑭𝑪 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝑭𝑪 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒇𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒖 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝑭𝑪

By Tashi Tshewang

Bhutan will host an AFC Challenge League Preliminary Stage match on August 12, 2025, when Paro FC, the reigning national champion, takes on Abu Muslim FC from Afghanistan at Changlimithang National Stadium in the capital. The match marks a significant step for Bhutanese football, offering Paro FC an opportunity to compete against a regional club on home ground and reflecting both the team’s progress and the country’s growing presence in Asian club football.

Supporters from across Bhutan are expected to gather in Thimphu to support Paro FC as the club represents the country in this continental fixture. It will be the first time a Bhutanese club hosts an official AFC competition match, following an improvement in Bhutan’s ranking within the Asian Football Confederation. Until now, local clubs have only participated as away teams in international tournaments. This opportunity is viewed as both a reward for performance and a recognition of Bhutan’s capacity to host professional football matches.

Paro FC enters the competition with strong domestic performance, having consistently maintained form in recent national league seasons. As hosts, the club carries the expectations of its supporters and symbolizes national pride. A full crowd is anticipated at Changlimithang Stadium as fans rally behind the team.

The event is expected to increase interest in football across the country, inspire young athletes, and elevate Bhutan’s profile within Asian football. It is seen as an important moment for Bhutanese sport, with potential long-term impact on club football.

Paro FC Head Coach Oriol Mohedano Segura stated, “It is a huge pleasure and a great honor. This moment represents all the hard work the club and team have done over the past seasons in the Bhutan Premier League. We feel honored, responsible, and ready to take the next step in the club’s journey and in the growth of Bhutanese football. It is a beautiful challenge, and we are fully committed to it.”

As preparations continue, Coach Oriol noted that performing at an international level requires more than physical training. It demands focus, belief, and careful attention to detail. His coaching strategy emphasizes readiness and awareness among the players regarding the responsibility of representing both the club and the country.

He added, “When we prepare for a game, there are many factors to consider, but the most important is to prepare and convince ourselves in the way we want to play. Any international game is full of details that matter, and step by step we approach it. These kinds of matches do not happen every day. Our goal is to give everything, so that when we walk off the pitch, we can feel proud and enjoy what we have done. That is the real reward.”

Timothy, a Nigerian player for Paro FC, said, “Abu Muslim is a good team with talented players, and they have proven themselves as champions just like Paro FC. But we are not backing down. We are preparing hard, both as a team and individually, to face them with confidence and to win the game. We know the challenge ahead of us, but we also know our strength.”

Despite the competitive pressure, Timothy said he feels motivated and proud to represent Paro FC and Bhutan. He emphasized the unity within the squad as a key factor behind their strength.
He continued, “I do not feel any extra pressure going into this match. Instead, I feel motivated and honored. To represent Paro FC and Bhutan on this level is a great privilege. What makes our team special is that we are more than just a football team. We are a family. We fight together till the end, we support one another, and we bring different strengths to the field to push the team forward. That unity, that spirit, that is what sets us apart and gives us belief in this tournament.”

Kezang Dorji, a player from Paro FC, also stressed the importance of teamwork. “Team chemistry and unity are vital in matches like this. At this level, it is not just about individual skill, it is about how well we play together. When everyone trusts each other, we become stronger and more focused. That connection gives us confidence and helps us perform at our best when it matters the most.”

He also thanked fans and acknowledged their support as a motivating force. “To all our passionate Bhutanese football fans, your support means everything to us. Every cheer and every voice from the stands fuel our motivation on the pitch. Come with your hearts full of pride, and we promise to give you everything we have got on that field. Together, we are not just representing Paro FC, we are representing Bhutan. This could be a big moment for Bhutanese club football. Playing in the AFC Challenge League gives us a chance to show how far we have come. A strong performance could open new opportunities not just for Paro FC, but for all Bhutanese clubs aiming to make their mark in Asia.”

Evans Asante from Ghana, a forward for Paro FC, said, “We are incredibly happy to be playing in front of our home fans and to give them what they truly deserve, our best performance and hopefully a win at home. It means a lot to us as players. The fans have been behind us throughout the season, and now we have a chance to give back by making them proud on such a big stage. Personally, I am excited. It is a great opportunity not just for Paro FC, but for Bhutanese football to show what we can bring to the Asian stage.”

With the match scheduled at Changlimithang, Paro FC has intensified training, focusing on both tactics and morale. As they prepare to face a strong opponent in Abu Muslim FC, players are placing emphasis on team trust and chemistry.
Evans said, “This is a strong team we are facing, and we respect them, but we have also worked hard to prepare for this moment. What gives me confidence is how close we are as a team. Everyone believes in the mission. We talk, we encourage one another, and we are all driven by the same goal. That kind of spirit can make the difference. We know that if we stay united and fight together, we can achieve something special on the field.”

Karma Dorji, a Bhutanese football fan and supporter of Paro FC, shared his views. “I support all football clubs in Bhutan because I believe every team plays a role in growing the sport in our country. But Paro FC has done something truly special. They have made history by consistently winning the national league and raising the standard of football in Bhutan. It is inspiring to watch how far they have come not just as a team, but as a symbol of what Bhutanese football can achieve.”

For Karma, this upcoming match goes beyond the scoreline. “Now, all I wish for is to see Paro FC take that next step to win against Abu Muslim FC. That would be another milestone, not just for the club but for the entire country. It would show that Bhutanese football is ready to rise beyond borders. I know it will not be easy, but we believe in our team, and we will be cheering for them every step of the way.”