A Lao footballer (left) heads the ball during a match against Cambodia in the selection round of the SEA Games in Vietnam on Monday. --Photo Lao Football Federation

Laos facing uphill battle against Malaysia at SEA Games

Laos will face a tough opponent in Malaysia at the SEA Games in Vietnam on Wednesday after going down 1-4 to Cambodia in their second match of the games on Monday.
The squad plans to improve their tactics and teamwork before taking on Malaysia, after putting up a poor performance against the Cambodian side.
The Lao team hopes to clock up enough points to make it through to the semi-finals and even the final, but have so far chalked up one draw and one loss.
If Laos loses to Malaysia, the team will not make it past the first round, although they have one last chance in their match against Thailand on May 16. However, this will also be a tough challenge.
Malaysia has beaten Thailand 2-1 in the first round of the games.
Earlier in the year, Laos beat Malaysia 2-0 in the first round of the AFF Under-23 Championship, but lost 0-2 to Thailand in the semi-finals.
Group A comprises Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Timor Leste.
In the run up to the SEA Games, Laos played two friendly international matches on home soil last month, winning both encounters.
Most of the squad have also had recent experience of international competition at the AFF Under-23 Championship in Cambodia, which took place in February.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update May 10, 2022)