Arya News - The majority of the spectators were students, symbolising the strong friendship between the two countries and its promising future.
THIMPHU – To mark the Royal visit of Thailand’s King and Queen on April 25, a highly anticipated under-17 (U-17) football match between Bhutan and Thailand was played yesterday in the capital, drawing thousands of Bhutanese spectators.
The majority of the spectators were students, symbolising the strong friendship between the two countries and its promising future. It was a moment to celebrate friendship and enjoy the game of football, while also witnessing the talent, teamwork, and professionalism of both teams.
Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel and Thailand’s Ambassador to Bhutan, Makawadee Sumitmor, were the guests of honour, along with many other Bhutanese and Thai officials.
Although the match ended 10–0 in favour of Thailand, it was an opportunity for the Bhutanese U-17 players to compete against one of the strongest teams in Asia.
Thailand dominated the first half with a 4–0 lead and scored six more goals in the second half, showcasing both technical and tactical prowess. Thailand started the match on a promising note, with striker Jompon Homboonma scoring in the 16th minute. He completed his hat-trick with two more goals before the 30-minute mark.
The Thai U-17 team competes in major global tournaments, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
Bhutan’s coach, Atsushi Nakamura, said that although the result was not good, the boys gave their best. He noted that there is still room for improvement and expressed confidence that with more training and game experience, the players will perform better in the future.
Thailand’s coach, Songyot Klinsrisuk, said it was a refreshing experience for the Thai team to play in Bhutan, surrounded by a good environment and enthusiastic football fans. He thanked all the Bhutanese supporters and Thai officials present at the stadium for their support.
He also highlighted the excellent relationship between Bhutan and Thailand and said that sports further strengthen this friendship. He expressed hope for more such collaborations in the future.
He emphasised that the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Bhutan Football Federation and the Football Association of Thailand reflects both federations’ commitment to developing football at all levels and sets the stage for future joint initiatives and exchanges.