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Lao League comes back

(KPL ) Football fans will be able to cheer for their favourite teams again in this year?s football league.

The Lao League is the highest division within the Lao Football Federation and this year?s tournament will be played at the Chao Anouvong Stadium from 20 February to 11 April after one year of absence due to the 25th SEA Games.

This year?s league draws 10 football clubs to compete, including Vientiane, Bank of the Lao PDR, the Lao-American College, Haisok, Moon the Night, Customs Department, Ezra, Army, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

The Lao Football League in 2008 saw the competition of 10 football clubs including Lao-American College, Vientiane, Army, Public Works and Transport, Ministry of Public Security, Bank of the Lao PDR, Ezra, Lao Journalists? Association, the National University of Laos and Moon the Night. The Army was the champion of Lao Football League in 2008.

The Lao Football Federation will organise the league and host the Asean Cup tournament at the end of next year.

VIENTIANE - Isa Halim lost his No 4 shirt - and his shorts - after the bronze medal play-off against SEA Games hosts Laos at the Chao Anouvong Stadium Thursday.

Standing on the track adjacent to the pitch clad only in his red tights, Isa drew a lot of attention from bystanders after the Singapore team were mobbed by locals who wanted a piece of the men who had downed Laos 3-1 to take the bronze.

And how sweet victory was for the youngest team in the competition, with an average age of just 19.8 years.

Few in Singapore had confidence in the Republic's under-23 football team here.

Indeed, the sentiment was that this young squad would not even make it out of the group stages of the competition.

But Terry Pathmanathan's charges sealed the bronze with goals from Khairul Nizam (23rd minute), Fazli Ayob (53rd) and Fadhil Noh (87th).

"I think this is a very big success and I'm very proud of the players," said Pathmanathan, just before he was doused with ice water and tossed into the air by his jubilant charges.

"Many people wrote them off but they've done well, extremely well as a matter of fact.

"There was no sign of nerves from these boys and this bronze medal will inspire them to greater heights in football, but the challenge is to keep them together," he added.

A majority of this SEA Games squad will play for the Young Lions in the S-League next year, but with school commitments and National Service on the horizon, it will be a challenge for the Football Association of Singapore to keep the team together for the next two SEA Games.

But, for team captain Isa, the SEA Games road has come to an end.

Still clad only in his tights, he said: "I feel proud leading these young boys. They showed that they have a bright future ahead of them, and this bronze medal is just a stepping stone for them."

Channelnewsasia.com

Malaysia were crowned SEA Games champions in the men?s football final last night after a lucky 1-0 victory over Vietnam to win the gold medal at the National Stadium.
The teams fought hard through both halves but the score remained 0-0 until Vo Hoang Quang of Vietnam accidentally rebounded a defensive shot to score an own goal and clinch the victory for Malaysia in the final minutes of standard time.

Vietnam came close to drawing level in injury time, but Malaysia held them off to take the coveted title in a gripping close to the tournament that saw Malaysian fans erupt in celebration, while the legions of Vietnamese supporters who travelled to Vientiane for the occasion had to settle for silver. ?We deserve to be the champions, even though in the first half the Vietnamese team played better,? said Malaysian Team Coach K.Raja Gobal.




He said the Malaysian side benefited from breaks in the fast paced game after the Vietnamese goal keeper was injured, and play had to be halted several times during the course of the match.
?All of my players did well, especially Kandasamy Gurusamy Govanda, our midfielder who is just 20 years old,? he said, adding that Malaysia were the better team in the second half.

President of the Vietnamese Football Federation Nquyen Troag Thy said his team had played well and hard, and praised the spirit of the Vietnamese players during the game. ?We were unlucky during this match, we attacked many times against Malaysia,? he said.

On the same day at Chao Anouvong stadium, Singapore beat Laos 3-1to win the bronze medal. Muhammad Khairul Nizam Bin scored Singapore?s first goal 22 minutes into the game, the remainder of the first half yielding no further score despite the attempts of both teams, the Lao side backed by their faithful, flag waving football army marching to the sound of dozens of drums.

Singapore?s Muhammed Fazli Bin Ayob scored the second goal of the match 6 minutes into the second half, spurring the Lao players into a barrage of attacks, none of which could break through the Singapore defence.

Muhammad Fadhil Bin Noh sealed the deal for Singapore with a third goal in the 86th minute, but Laos kept fighting and star striker Lamnao Singto succeeded in scoring Laos? only goal 2 minutes later. Injury time produced no further goals for Laos, and the players and fans had to settle for fourth place at the end of a campaign that gripped the nation and saw Laos reach further than ever before in a SEA Games football tournament.

Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh attended both the playoff between Laos and Singapore and the final at the National Stadium to watch the action and preside over the medal ceremonies.

Malaysia rallied to beat hosts Laos 3-1 in the second semi-final to book their place in the final against Vietnam which will be played at the same venue of the Main Stadium in Vientiane on Dec 17.

The final appearance is the first for the Malaysians in eight years since 2001 when they lost to Thailand in Kuala Lumpur.

And this evening with the expectant fans heavily backing the home team to make their debut in the final of the SEA Games, it was to be the Malaysians who pinned their opponents in their own half at the start of the game.

In the second minute, Abdul Manaf Mamat tested Laos keeper Souvanpheng Panthavong with a rifling shot from 20metre out while several minutes later, striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha’s attempt with placing shot was parried.

Laos put pressure in the midfield through the hard work of Lamnao Singto and Kampheng Sayyavuthi but they just could not get past the Malaysian backline marshalled by Zafuan Adha Abdul Razak.

In the 13th minute, a blanket of silence fell on the Laos fans when off a cross from Manaf Mamat on the right, Badrol Bakhtiar rose high for an overhead kick which went straight into goal.

As the small Malaysian supporters began chanting, Laos came close with a free kick from Kaysone Soukhavong but his attempt was well received by Malaysian custodian Sharbinee Allawee.

Malaysia were a little slower going into the second half and as they laid back to protect their lead, a seemingly innocuous dipping shot from distance in the 72nd minute beat Sharbinee for the first time in the game - much to the jubilation of the home fans.

But in their eagerness to look for their second goal and the lead, Laos left gaps at the back and this allowed Malaysia to capitalise on in the 78th minute when Badrol picked a pass from S. Kunalan to blast home.

And six minutes later, Safiq Rahim made it beyond Laos’ reach with the third goal from inside the penalty box to put Malaysia through.

Malaysia’s appearance in the final will allow them the chance for a re-match against Vietnam, whom they lost to in the group stage with a 3-1 score line.

VIENTIANE - Eight-time defending champions Thailand crashed out of the Southeast Asian Games football competition Friday after two late goals from Malaysia, who join Vietnam in the semi-finals.

Needing only a draw to qualify for the last four, Thailand were the better side for large parts of the match and made their superiority count when Arthit Sunthornphit struck seven minutes after half-time direct from a free-kick.

But nine minutes from full-time Nasriq Baharom scored at the far post after a fine cross from the left by Azmi Muslim to level the scores and give Malaysia hope.

On 90 minutes, Ahmad Fakri Saarani won the match for Malaysia, firing home a cross from the right by Norshahrul Idlan Talaha to make it 2-1 and spark wild scenes of celebration.

Vietnam topped Group A with 10 points after thumping Cambodia 6-1, with Malaysia on nine points and Thailand, who had won every SEA Games football tournament since 1993, on seven.

Timor Leste finished bottom of the five-team group with no points after four straight defeats.

Host nation Laos and Singapore on Thursday qualified for the semi-finals of the under-23 competition from Group B.

MediaCorp Channel 5 will telecast the semi-final match between Singapore and Laos live on December 14.



- AFP/ir

Hosts Laos went to the top of Group B of the men’s football event when they beat Indonesia with a comprehensive 2-0 win in the match that was played at the Chao Anuvong Stadium this evening. Laos had held silver medallists Myanmar to a 1-1 draw in their first match of the competition two days ago. But this evening the young side under head coach Alfred Riedl were a lot more determined against an Indonesian eager to win the full points following their own drawn match against Singapore earlier.

It was to be the combination of Engel Bert Sani and Boaz Salossa who were again at the forefront of the Laos attack although they just can’t seem to break past the Laos defence marshalled by the duo of Kitsada and Ketsada.

The game was restricted very much in the midfield as Lamnao Singto once again formed a lethal partnership alongside the returned to fitness Kampheng Sayyavuthi. With the score tied at the half, the game picked up the tempo after the break with Lamnao coming close on several occassions.

But he more than made it up for his earlier misses when in the 66th minute, Kampheng played the ball to Lamnao who ran into the Indonesian box for a grounder which keeper Frenky Irawan tried in vain to stop as it trickled between his legs.

The goal was just what the capacity crowd wanted as they all jumped to their feet in a unison of blue and red - men, women, children and all waving flags. Indonesia attempted to get back into the game by putting more pressure at the centre of the park but it was all in vain as ten minutes later, Laos went further in front.

Lamnao was again in the thick of the action when he capitalised on a defensive mistake to slot the ball home for the hosts to pick up their first full points in the group.


Laoseagames

Both men's and women's football teams will play their first matches against Myanmar , which has proved in past SEA Games competitions to be a formidable opponent.

The matches will take place on December 3 and 5 at the National University of Laos stadium and the National Stadium.

Lao Men's Football Team Manager Viphet Sihachakr said yesterday he thought his team would play five matches in the tournament because the players were well prepared both in terms of training and fitness.

“ Myanmar is a strong SEA Games team. They were runners-up at the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007 but that's in the past. Today I believe our athletes can do better than before due to our experience from the many test matches we played,” he said.

Lao footballers lost many tournaments in the run-up to the 25th SEA Games. But coaches and team assistants have worked hard to improve the players' skills and the team manager has confirmed the team's performance is already 30 percent better since their last match.

“One thing we have to remember is that playing at home we have an advantage because our supporters will be cheering us on, just as they did at the 4-Nations Football Tournament. I was delighted to see so many Lao fans in the stadium all shouting for us. This is just great for our players,” Mr Viphet said.

He asked football fans to continue to cheer on the players, saying their support would make them stronger and better able to fight for their country.

Lao hopes are also riding with the women's football team.

Lao Women's Football Team Manager Ms Valy Vessaphong said she had asked Myanmar to send a team for a friendly game in Laos before the SEA Games but they declined, saying they were too busy.

“This will be a big match because we've never met them since we lost to them 0-6 at the 24th SEA Games. But now things are different. Our players have improved and are ready for their first match,” Ms Valy said.

She said Myanmar might not be aware of how much the Lao team had improved and Laos also didn't know, but the match would be the true testing ground.

After today's match against Myanmar , the women's team will play Thailand on December 8, Malaysia on December 11 and Vietnam on December 13. December 16 will be the final day of the tournament.

Matches will take place at the National University of Laos and the Chao Anouvong Stadium.

The men's football team begins its campaign tomorrow against Myanmar and will face Indonesia on December 7 and Singapore on December 10 at the National Stadium and Chao Anouvong Stadium.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

Vientianetimes

It's apparent this year’s SEA Games will be no walkover for any of the football teams, men’s or women’s, given the line-up in the draw. In the men’s draw there are just eight teams taking part because Brunei and the Philippines are not entering either a men’s or women’s team this year, according to the Asean Football Federation. In the first round stage defending champion Thailand has been drawn in Group A alongside Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Cambodia.

Hosts Laos have been drawn in Group B along with Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia. In the 2007 SEA Games, Laos achieved a goalless draw with Singapore before being soundly beaten 0-4 by Malaysia and then losing 1-2 to Vietnam. The Lao men’s football team will begin their campaign at this year’s SEA Games on Saturday when they face Myanmar, who took the silver medal at the 2007 SEA Games.

This match will take place on Saturday at 17:45 at the National Stadium. Other matches will pit Laos against Indonesia on December 7 and against Singapore on December 10. Both of these games will be played out at the Chao Anouvong Stadium, with the kick off at 17:45. Football experts predict that Thailand is the most likely choice for a semifinal berth in Group A.

This would be no surprise since they have taken the gold medal in men’s football for the last eight editions of the SEA Games since 1993. However, Laos is also a favourite for the semifinals from Group B because they have the home crowd advantage. The competition is tough this year but local fans are full of hope that Laos will make the semifinals stage, due to the strength of emotion pouring out from a million hearts.

There is no doubt the thunderous cheers of spectators are very important in boosting the players’ morale and confidence. Asean Football Federation records dating back to 1959 show Laos reached the semifinals in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, after other results went their way.

Myanmar took gold in the event after defeating Vietnam in the final. Thailand took the bronze medal after they beat Laos 5-2 in the third place play-off. At that time the games were known as the Southeast Asian Peninsula Games (SEAP Games). Since the name was changed to the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 1977, Laos has never reached the semi-finals. It was not until the 2003 SEA Games that a Lao women’s team entered any international competition.

Their first steps into sporting water were hesitant and the team eventually withdrew because it was felt the players lacked the experience to compete in such a major event. Lao women finally made their SEA Games debut in 2007 in Thailand, when they reached the semi-finals on goal difference after a 2-2 draw against the Philippines, but lost to Vietnam 1-4, while the Philippines lost 0-10 to Vietnam.

In the semi-finals, Laos lost 0-8 to host Thailand, while in the bronze medal match they went down 0-5 to Myanmar. It’s anybody’s guess what the outcome of this year’s line-up will be for either men or women.

This is football, and everything depends on the ball getting past the keeper into the net and teams making the most of their chances. There’s no knowing the result until the final whistle blows.

Vientianetimes