𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧

…𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑰𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑱𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒏, 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

By Kinzang Lhamo

Bhutan’s national women’s football team, the “Dragon Girls,” concluded their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifying campaign in Jordan with a 3-0 loss to the host team on July 16. The result placed Bhutan third in Group A with six points from four matches. While the team showed notable growth, the campaign also underlined the performance gap between Bhutan and the region’s top teams.

The qualifiers began on a high note for Bhutan with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against Singapore on July 7. This was followed by a determined 2-1 victory over Lebanon on July 11. These wins highlighted the team’s resilience and tactical progress. However, a 7-1 defeat to Iran on July 13 was a setback that exposed the challenges Bhutan faces against stronger and more experienced sides.

In the final match against Jordan, Bhutan struggled to match the hosts’ attacking pressure which was comprehensively beaten. The 3-0 result reflected the tactical and physical gap between the teams and emphasized the work needed for Bhutan to compete at a higher level.

Despite the defeat, Bhutan’s two victories and overall performance offered valuable international exposure. The matches, played at the King Abdullah II Stadium in Jordan, gave the team a strong foundation for future development.
Karma Choki, the Women’s Development Officer, said the team showed encouraging progress and emphasized the importance of grassroots development.

“The team’s resilience and progress have been incredibly encouraging. With the right support, there’s tremendous potential for growth. That’s why we are placing strong emphasis on grassroots programs, especially in schools and communities to increase participation among girls. We have started youth festivals, school tournaments, and talent identification programs across the country to build a stronger foundation,” she said.
To support long-term development, the Bhutan Football Federation is focusing on training skilled coaches and ensuring international exposure for players.

“We have seen how important exposure and coaching are when competing against stronger teams. So, we are training more female coaches, bringing in expert trainers, and even working on certification programs in partnership with international bodies. On top of that, we are planning more international friendly matches and regional competitions so our players gain real match experience and build confidence,” she added.

Team captain Pema C. Tshering reflected on the team’s mental growth during the tournament.
“We have improved so much over the years, and there was hunger there too. We won both the games in the final minutes of the match, which highlights our mental growth. You win some and you lose some. Unfortunately, Iran was just the better team.”

She said the narrow possibility of qualification after Iran’s loss to Lebanon served as motivation ahead of their final match.

“The fact that we had a small chance of qualifying, especially after Iran lost to Lebanon, was a motivating factor against Jordan. But I think the team was a bit fatigued by match day four. We just need similar experiences like this, play more high-intensity games, and develop proper tournament fitness both mentally and physically for the future. We did our best. It’s important to stay focused. I haven’t had much time to reflect, but this tournament was definitely a milestone. It gave us hope, and I think it gave everyone back home some hope that we may just qualify someday. It’s very important to take one game at a time.”

Midfielder Sonam Lhamo, wearing jersey number 10, said the win against Singapore was a turning point for the squad.
“The comeback win against Singapore was a huge achievement for us. It significantly boosted our confidence and proved our mental and physical readiness for the remaining matches. That victory met our initial expectations and reinforced our belief that we belonged on that stage. It gave us the push we needed to face the tougher matches ahead.”

While the team’s momentum was tested by the losses, Sonam said they responded by focusing on growth.
“After the losses, it was emotionally and physically tough, especially because we had prepared so well. But we decided to use those matches as platforms for improvement. That mindset helped us keep our morale high. We focused on learning from our mistakes, refining our strategies, and most importantly, staying united. Compared to previous tournaments, our teamwork, fitness, and understanding of the game have really improved. We have grown into a more cohesive unit, always encouraging one another, and that unity has been key to our progress.”

Winger Tshering Choden said her experience in the qualifiers was part of a larger journey tied to global competition.
“Through my experience, I would say that playing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers was not just a tournament. It was part of a global journey that determines which national teams will ultimately compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia next year. Although the qualifying process is long and arduous, filled with both triumph and heartbreak, it is also a true test of skill, strategy, and determination where every single match matters. But above all, it’s a journey of hope, dreams, and national pride.”

She shared that the emotional highs and lows throughout the campaign helped bring the players closer together.
“Some of the most memorable moments for me were witnessing victories, where teams not expected to win pulled off stunning results against higher-ranked opponents. Seeing a team that was down by a huge margin fight back with resilience and a never-say-die attitude was truly inspiring. The sense of accomplishment and national pride that followed those moments was unforgettable. And in preparation, our team went through intensive training to improve physical fitness, stamina, and technical skills. We also followed a strict diet and recovery routine. The bonding we had as a team was super amazing and played a huge role in getting us through the tournament.”

Football fan Pema Chedrup from Thimphu commended Bhutan’s performance, especially their win against Lebanon.
“Lebanon was ranked higher, so Bhutan’s 2-1 win was unexpected and impressive. Honestly, I thought we might manage a draw against teams like Jordan and Iran, but their foreign-based players were on a completely different level, faster, more physical, and technically stronger.”
He added that such international exposure is critical for the growth of women’s football in Bhutan and advocated for more visibility.

“Still, such matches are valuable for our women’s team to gain international exposure and grow. If these matches were broadcast freely on national TV, it would really help build interest and support for women’s football in Bhutan.”
As the team looks ahead, the lessons from this campaign are expected to guide Bhutan’s continued investment in women’s football, with the goal of narrowing the gap with stronger regional teams and building a competitive foundation for the future.