Favored Vietnam Wednesday lost 2-0 to underdog Laos in the semifinals of men’s football at the 2006 Asean University Games, that wrap up tomorrow in the capital of Hanoi.

Vietnam won all their games in the group stage with three wins to advance the semis, with hopes of going through to the final match.

With the defeat, Vietnam will face the other loser Indonesia, who went down 2-1 to Thailand, in a play-off Friday to decide third-place.

Despite the failure, the host found encouragement with success in other sports, leading in the medal tally with 43 gold medals, 32 silver and 20 bronze.

Thailand and Indonesia followed with 21 and 16 gold medals respectively.

Over 1,500 athletes from nine participant countries are competing in 12 sports in the biannual tournament.

Reported by Thanh Thang, Manh Duong – Translated by Minh Phat