Bhutan begins journey to Russia 2018

Bhutan’s modest journey for Russia 2018 has begun, and despite no hopes to qualify the underdogs are hoping to performs better this time.

Bhutan have only three wins to their name in football history – against Afghanistan, Montserrat and Guam — and were beaten 5-2 by Sri Lanka in their last international match at the 2013 South Asian Football Championships in Kathmandu. Bhutan was once tonked 20-0 by Kuwait in an Asian Cup qualifier in 2000.

Bhutan, ranked last of the 209 teams in FIFA’s rankings, face Sri Lanka in steamy Colombo on Thursday before the return match next week at home. They are in Thailand this week for warm up and training sessions.

Bhutan Football Federation president Ugyen Tsechup Dorji told BBC World Football said they were unconcerned about the world’s worst team tag and the lack of fixtures did not mean the sport was being neglected.

“We are not bothered by the FIFA rankings. In reality, the teams that are 160, 170, 180 right up to 207, 208 you really don’t need to win games to improve your FIFA ranking,” he said.

A shock victory for Bhutan’s side, filled with mainly office workers who earn on average around $60-$70 a month for playing football, would take them through to the second round where the likes of Asian champions Australia, Japan and Iran enter the draw.