Glimpses of the energetic Bhutan VS China FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers match at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. The Chinese team won the game, scoring 6 goals to the home team’s nil, making Bhutan’s road to Russia in 2018 that much more difficult. But the blazing orange-and-yellow fans, and the players themselves, were cheerful- Bhutan’s first ever participation in World Cup Qualifiers is historic, and the country is understandably proud.
The Bhutanese supporters are ablaze in the National colors of yellow and orange, wholeheartedly supporting their team in the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
Team Dragon warms up before the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu. The stadium is filled with an expectant crowd, prepared to support their team all the way.
Teams enter the stadium to ear-spliing cheers, before the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
The National Anthem of Bhutan permeates the stadium and lifts the hearts of supporters. A giant Bhutan flag is raised by the supporters, in a demonstration of solidarity with the national team, and national pride, during the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu. No matter the outcome, this is a proud moment for Bhutan.
Leading a cheer at the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu: “Pelden Drukpa GYALO!”
The archery mound next to the stadium is an ideal vantage point for those who couldn’t get tickets, but love the game just as much- fans outside the stadium enjoy the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers from outside the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
The crowd of Orange and Yellow erupts for the dragons, as the ball gets close to the Chinese post, during the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
Photographers at the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
The comparatively small Chinese fans are surprisingly loud, during the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
Team Dragon!
Fans wear colored wigs to show their support for the National Team, during the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
A nail-biting free-kick awarded to China within the first few minutes of the game makes the crowd anxious, but it is followed by a jubilant save from the Bhutanese side.
Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
Seen in this image is the captain of Team Dragon, Karma Shedup Tshering, wearing jersey no. 8. Like most other players of the Bhutanese team, the 29-year old has a different profession, and plays for the love of the game. On non-match days, Karma is a pilot for Druk Air.
Chinese team huddle before the second half of Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu. Team China may have been slightly nervous at this point, having scored only one goal despite numerous attempts, against a team that was perceived to be much weaker.
Team Bhutan huddle before the second half of the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu. The crowd is optimistic at this point; the score is 1-0 in favour of China, which is better than what most people expected after Bhutan’s 7-0 defeat to Hong Kong.
The Changlimithang Stadium, witness to some of the greatest moments of Bhutanese history, is one of the most unique stadiums in the world, and perhaps among the most beautiful.
The first half of the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers match between Bhutan and China saw iron-clad defense from the Bhutanese, who ceded one goal at extra time after numerous, heart-stopping saves, at a game that was played mostly on the Bhutanese half of the field.
Bhutanese hopes are pinned on striker Chencho, nicknamed CG7 as a nod to Portugal’s Christiano Ronaldo. Chencho scored both the goals against Sri Lanka during Bhutan’s last, triumphant game at this stadium.
Chinese Gaolkeeper Yan Junling sees some rare action during a match played mostly on the Bhutanese half of the football field, at the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
Playing against the Bhutan team means one thing for sure- a game with the least fouls, and no flaring tempers. Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
This young ball boy takes his job seriously at the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
The crowd, blazing in yellow and orange, fills the Changlimithang Stadium, and the crowd cheers as loud as ever, despite the growing tally of goals from China, proving that it is impossible to dampen the spirits of the Dragons of Bhutan.
A sea of yellow and orange- the crowd wears our National colours with pride at the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
We may be only 0.7 million, but that’s 0.7 million football lovers with a World Cup dream. Bhutanese fans demonstrate their wholehearted support to the national team in a crowded stadium during the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
One of the best saves from the Bhutan side causes the sea of orange and yellow fans to erupt joyously, during the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
Bhutan’s Hari Gurung and China’s Yang Xu at the the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
China scores again, disappointing the crowd of orange and yellow Bhutan fans, at the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
Bhutan’s goalkeeper, Hari Gurung, is the man of the match for the Bhutanese fans, who chanted his name as he made several fantastic saves during the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.
The players receive a standing ovation and cheers from the ever-supportive crowd after the Bhutan VS China FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu. Despite the final score of 6-0 in favor of China, the mood is optimistic- we are only beginning on our long journey to the World Cup.
Continue onwards and upwards….you will continue to improve with the Nation behind you……a heart stirring story