Since reaching Thimphu, Nepali team coach Yam Prasad Gurung said, 'Nepali football fans are very sensitive, this time we will not hurt their hearts.' However, Nepal's performance in their first match of the U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers was such that it hurt the fans.

The home team Bhutan held Nepal to a 1-1 draw in Group 'A' match on Wednesday. 

It was such a result, which made Nepal's chances of selection extremely weak. There are a total of eight groups in the selection. Each group winner will advance to next year's U-20 Asian Cup. The best three teams from the second place in each group will also be selected. Nepal's goal was to be among the best three teams. But the draw with Bhutan almost ended that possibility. 

Both goals of the game at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu came in the first half. With this result, both teams remained at 1-1 points. The three-time world champion and two-time Asian champion North Korea are at the top of this group 'A'. The North Korean team defeated Saudi Arabia 15-0 in the first match on Wednesday. North Korea has 3 points while Saudi Arabia has no points. 

In the second game of the day, Nepal took the lead in 40 seconds. Senu Pariyar scored for Nepal using a cross pass given by Sukriya Mia. Bhutan equalized in the 18th minute. This goal was in the name of Kelden Wangmo.

Nepal had easily won two matches against Bhutan in the SAFF U-20 Women's Championship held in Bangladesh two weeks ago. In the first match, Nepal won 6-1 and in the second match, they won 8-0. Nepal could not repeat the same performance against Bhutan this time. 

This time Nepal's performance was largely disappointing. Not only this, there was a possibility that Nepal could be defeated at any time in front of the pressure exerted by Bhutan. After the match, coach Gurung admitted that Bhutan's performance was good.