Lao women footballers train on a pitch in Xaythany district on Tuesday. --Photo Lao Football Federation

Women footballers warm up for SEA Games

The Lao women’s football team is preparing for the South-East Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam next month with friendly matches played on home soil. 
At the end of this month, the Lao Football Federation (LFF) will select 18 players and two goalkeepers to participate in the first round of the women’s football tournament at the SEA Games, which takes place from May 10-15.
The Lao footballers have been building their skills in Xaythany district for the past five weeks. Some players have picked up some minor injuries but they are continuing with training. Head coach Mr Vongmixay Soubuakham said the young team plays well together and understands how to interact on the pitch. He reckoned the training was about 80 percent complete.
The Lao team has been drawn in Group B alongside Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. They are scheduled to play Myanmar on May 10, Singapore on May 13, and Thailand on May 15.
Mr Vongmixay said Thailand and Myanmar are strong teams in this group, but the Lao women will do their best to get points from their matches. In a previous AFC competition, Japan beat Myanmar in the women’s football event, although Myanmar has some experienced footballers who have played for India.
Group A in the women’s competition comprises Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia and Indonesia.
Some of the Lao team have been playing football from the age of 15-16 after a women’s training regime was introduced in 2016.
Since then, women footballers have competed at the Asean Championship and other events in Asia, with the most outstanding players now forming the national team.
The team comprises three goalkeepers from Vientiane and Savannakhet province, while most of the other players come from Vientiane and five are based in Savannakhet.
In October 2021, Laos took part in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers, hosted by Bahrain.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update April 28, 2022)