Lao Football Federation officials and the Lao U-19 team celebrate their near win at the Asean Football Federation U-19 Championship in Indonesia on Friday.    --Photo LFF

Lao footballers ready to build on near triumph at AFF U-19 champs

The best footballers in Laos’ U-19 squad are ready to forget their disappointing defeat at the Asean Football Federation (AFF) U-19 Championship in Indonesia and are eyeing greater success in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Cup 2023 qualifiers, which will take place in Laos from September 10-18.
In a tightly contested match in difficult conditions on a mud-slicked pitch on Friday, the valiant young team were outplayed by a stronger side from Malaysia, and despite their determined efforts went down 0-2 in the highly-anticipated final of the youth championship.
Hopes of a Lao win were high after the young squad had earlier beaten Malaysia in the tournament, as well as achieving a historic victory over Thailand, and defeating Timor Leste, Cambodia and Singapore in earlier matches.
The team’s star player was named as goalkeeper Phounin Xayasone, who was awarded a cup by the tournament organising committee.
Vietnam placed third and Thailand fourth among the 11 teams taking part in the championship.
Fans around the country gathered to watch the match in a live television broadcast and were hugely supportive of the team’s tenacious efforts, with the boys fully engaged in the game right up until the last whistle.
Lao fans were delighted to see the squad overcome so many traditionally stronger teams and threw their support behind the boys every step of the way, even though they were not able to lift the trophy.
Now that the young players have proved their ability and made a name for themselves in the regional footballing arena, they intend to build on their surprise success by putting on another strong showing in the upcoming AFC U-20 Cup 2023 qualifiers.
The Lao Football Federation (LFF) and coaches will work with the U-20 squad to improve their fitness and tactics, including teamwork, so that Laos is able to make even greater headway in future international tournaments.
The AFC U-20 Cup 2023 qualifiers will be contested by 43 teams, divided into 10 groups. Laos has been drawn in Group C along with Japan, Yemen, Palestine and Guam.
Matches will be played at the National Stadium in Vientiane. Laos will take on Guam on September 10, Japan on September 12, Yemen on September 14, and Palestine on September 18.
The 10 top-ranked teams will then face off in the second qualifying round, to be hosted by Uzbekistan in 2023, with the five winners of these matches to compete in the endgame of the Cup, which will also take place in Uzbekistan.  

 

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update July 17, 2022)