Laos will not reach the semi-finals of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup after going down 0-3 to Malaysia and 0-6 to Thailand in the first round of Group B matches.
Myanmar and Cambodia are also out after losing in their first round Group A matches.
Lao defender Kovanh Namthavisay ( left ) tackles for the ball with Thai forward Suree Sukha during a Suzuki Cup match on Monday night.
The Lao team has one more chance to prove themselves in the Group B campaign when they take on Vietnam tonight.
Lao coach Xaysana Savatdy told media at a tournament press conference in Phuket , Thailand , it was very difficult for the Lao team to get close to victory because all the players are amateur, while the stronger teams are made up of professionals.
This is a fact many Lao football fans recognise as they see how Laos consistently fails to rise in the rankings against teams such as Singapore , Thailand , Vietnam and Malaysia .
Now football fans' thoughts are turning towards the SEA Games in December next year when Laos competes on home soil. Laos has made it clear its goal in the games is to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever.
Many of those playing in the AFF Suzuki Cup squad are under 23 and will be included in the team that plays in the SEA Games.
Lao Football Federation Secretary General Soulivane Xeunvilay said yesterday “I don't think football fans will be satisfied with the results achieved by Laos at the AFF Suzuki Cup, but I hope everyone realises we're up against a huge challenge when we compare the standard of our team to others.”
“We never set out to win this tournament because other competing teams regularly play on professional pitches with a full complement of seasoned players. We entered a team of young players, all aged under 23, because we're preparing them for the SEA Games.”
“Our main goal at the AFF Suzuki Cup is to give the players international experience to build up their hopes for victory at the SEA Games,” Mr Soulivane said.
The AFF Suzuki Cup is a biennial football competition organised by the Asean Football Federation, accredited by FIFA and contested by the national teams of Southeast Asian countries.
The semi-finals and finals will be played on a home and away format, while the champion will receive a trophy and US$100,000 in prize money.
We never set out to win this tournament because other competing teams regularly play on professional pitches with a full complement of seasoned players. We entered a team of young players, all aged under 23, because we're preparing them for the SEA Games.”
...............................
I heard each time when Laos lost in the games... blame who?
Lao team always tell a lie about their age. Are you sure they will use U-23 for the SEA GAMES ? Maybe they will use only name, but the players are all nearly 30
This is the old excuse (Amateur, lack experience, filling young player in the field), i have been cheering them for 20 years... damn and old excuse... just admit this, we are not good at football... if we look the history of football, our football has always been bad...
I just want to say, the coach suck... and should hire foreign coach...if we want a big shift in football
If we are amateur... how about Myanmar, their players also amateur too... but how come they compete quite well during the past tournaments....
That is right. the word "Amateur" is for excuse. Why Lao can not build the professional ligue as other country. Since Lao have many giant company as Don chan hotel, Beer Lao so on , they should support Lao soccer team. If sending team with losing in mind better let them at home and use word Amateur for the rest of decate for excuse......I do not blame the players at all. Only managers and systems are unforgive. They should resign after the game.
Lao team always tell a lie about their age. Are you sure they will use U-23 for the SEA GAMES ? Maybe they will use only name, but the players are all nearly 30
The majority of players are under 23, but some of them are older.. the team can be selected the older players into the team, this is a FIFA rule, I Guess?
yes, you are right,,,but have you ever thought? that,how many times that lao team go to play in int,,,tournaments in Asean,i think i have heard this words mamy times the team just only find any expreriences in this level,but nothing more advance or better,,,i sugguest to sentence all team and also change maneger,head coach,,,if want to see lao team play better to the best in other tournaments... Lao football fan,,,,
i was telling you before not thing to show them ,they don't want to waist to much time ! (no room ) they need to get practice every day , kick buffollo's ass 4 time a day not party every night! (just kidding) do best we can do
