LAOS EMERGE CHAMPS AND CLAIM FINAL ROUND BERTH WITH PHILIPPINES

LAOS EMERGE CHAMPS AND CLAIM FINAL ROUND BERTH WITH PHILIPPINES

VIENTIANE (26 Oct 2010) – Hosts Laos emerged the champions of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 qualifying rounds for the second time in succession after sensationally beating Timor Leste 6-1 at the National Sports Complex tonight. Philippines, who finished second on an inferior goal difference, have claimed the other slot after earlier sharing points with Cambodia in an earlier tie. Laos will join a difficult Group A where they will have Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand for company while the Philippines will battle it out with defending champions Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar in Group B. Cambodia, second in the previous qualifying tournament two years ago, finished third with five points, similar to Laos and the Philippines, but lost out on an inferior goal difference. For Laos the victory was sweet as they came from behind to secure a sensational victory. Down by an early goal, Laos battled back to score six goals to dispose of Timor Leste who completed the tournament without any points. “We expected to win this game but it is not easy knowing that we have to win by a certain number of goals to take the Cup,” said David Booth, the chief coach of Laos. “For me, it does not matter which group we are in for the final round – they are all hard teams to play against.” Bottom-placed Timor Leste stunned the hosts just nine minutes into the game. The goal was a severe blow for Laos who knew they needed at least three goals in order to qualify for the final rounds. Laos, to their credit, got their act together very quickly and were back on level terms just two minutes later thanks to a fine strike from Kovanh Namthaxivay. Laos continued to pile the pressure and surged ahead in the 17th minute, this time after Soukaphone Vongchiengkham’s header whizzed past the on-rushing Timor keeper. Laos were unfortunate not to pick up at least two more goals by the end of the first half. Kovanh rocked the crossbar in the 28th minute while Soukaphone’s shot was just inches from the target. Timor stole away in the dying minutes when Chiquitto Do Carmo split the defence but his shot landed in the arms of the keeper. Just before the hour mark, Laos had added two more goals through Lamnao Singto and Konekham Inthammavong in the 47th and 59th minutes. The importance of the fourth goal was the fact that Laos had done enough to qualify as the second placed team. This pushed Cambodia down into third spot and effectively out of the finals. Anyone who thought Laos would be satisfied as the second placed team were wrong as they went on to score two more goals through Kanyala Sysomvang and Ketsada Souksavanh for a magnificent 6-1 win. This meant Laos had swept past the Philippines on better goal difference. Laos had scored eight goals while Philippines had scored seven. The top three, Laos, Philippines and Cambodia all have five points each. “We had minimum preparation but we still managed to match the other teams in certain aspects although we lost out physically. We would have been better if we had more time to prepare,” added Eduardo Parreira, the assistant coach of Timor Leste. more at:http://aseanfootball.org/headlines_01.asp?id=1505

Laos vs Timor Leste Preview

VIENTIANE: Laos coach David Booth has warned his players not to be complacent for their final match in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 qualifying competition against Timor Leste on Tuesday. 

Although Laos blew a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw with Philippines on Sunday, they still have their destiny in their hands and should advance to the group stage with victory against the last-placed Timorese at the National Sports Complex in Vientiane. 

But although Timor Leste have conceded nine goals in losing their first two matches in the qualifiers, Booth remains wary of the tournament's minnows. 

Said the Englishman: "Timor Leste played very well in the first 30 minutes of their game against Cambodia and they showed how hard it is to play against them if they have the lead. 

"The longer they held the lead, the more difficult it became to break them down. We have to make sure they don't score first and to try to score ourselves. 

"They will not be easy opponents so we have to prepare well and approach the game in a positive manner." 

Booth wants his players to show greater composure after throwing away their advantage against the Philippines by allowing two goals in the final 14 minutes. 

"We were leading 2-0 and then had a rough decision when we conceded the penalty. That upset the players more than I expected and we drew a game that we should have won," he lamented. 

"Now, we have to win our final game to stay in the competition. But we are not in a bad position because we can still qualify and we will know exactly what we need to do tomorrow because we meet Timor Leste after the game between Cambodia and Philippines. 

"If there is a result in that game, we will only need to beat Timor Leste to go through. A draw will mean that we have to win our match by three goals. 

"Of course, playing second will put some pressure on us to get a result but I am confident of our chances. We've played very well so far and we have just been a bit unlucky." 

Laos have recorded narrow victories in both previous meetings against Timor Leste in the Suzuki Cup qualifiers, winning 3-2 in 2007 and 2-1 two years ago. 

The Timorese are already out of contention for the group stage after losing their first two games but assistant coach Eduardo Pereira insists that his players will still be putting in their best effort in their final match. 

"We are playing for our pride," he said. 

"We were happy that we showed some improvement in our performance in our last match. And although our final match against Laos will be difficult, we will still try our best."

source:http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news.html

YOUGHUSBANDS PROPEL PHILIPPINES TO THE TOP

YOUGHUSBANDS PROPEL PHILIPPINES TO THE TOP  
 

VIENTIANE (24 Oct 2010) – Philippines battled back from a two-goal deficit to hold hosts Laos in a gripping encounter at the National Sports Complex Stadium here tonight. With time on the scoreboard up, James Younghusband rose high to nod in the equaliser to keep alive his team’s hopes of advancing to the final rounds of the prestigious AFF Suzuki Cup 2010.

Laos had taken a two-goal lead at the break with superb strikes from Soukaphone Vongchiengkham and Kanyala Sysomvang in the 29th and 41st minutes. But the Philippines had other plans and clawed their way back into contention with a penalty from Philip Younghusband in the 76th minute. That goal provided the fuel that was needed to fire up the Filipinos. And in deep in extratime, the older Younghusband notched the second goal.

The Philippines, top of the standing with four points, still have a tough journey to the final rounds as they now have to beat Cambodia, who earlier today defeated Timor Leste 4-2. Laos, currently third in the standings, have an easy tie against Timor Leste in their last match on Tuesday.

The two final matches will be a thrill as Cambodia and Philippines try to outdo each other while Laos will attempt to score more than two goals to ensure they make it through.

“We were a little over-confident at the start. As such, in the first half we put ourselves in a very difficult position,” said Simon McMenemy, the chief coach of Philippines. “But were a lot better in the second half and the penalty turned the game for us.”

Philippines fielded the same players they did against Timor Leste two days ago but their hopes that the winning lineup would deliver the goals failed miserably in the first half. Despite the obvious difference in physique, the Laos players kept the ball low and used their speed to their advantage.

In the 19th minute, Laos were celebrating after Soukaphone forced in the opener during a scramble in front of goal. Philippines keeper Neil Etherige protested that the ball had not crossed the line but the referee ruled otherwise.

The goal fired up the Laos players and they went hunting for more goals. With the 2,000 over fans cheering them on, the home boys almost doubled the score in the 33rd minute but Kanyala’s shot found the side-netting.

Kanyala was leaping in joy in the 41st minute as his thundering drive screamed into the top corner beyond the reach of the Filipino keeper. In the dying minutes, goalscorers, Soukaphone and Kanyala, had brilliant chances but were just off the mark.

“It was always going to be tough and hard and for all the pressure they put on us, I felt that we coped well,” added David Booth, the chief coach of Laos.
“But the penalty turned the game against us and that was the turning point which led to the draw.”

TEAMS

Philippines: Neil Etheridge (GK), Robert Gier, Anton Del Rosario, James Younghusband, Manuel Gelito Ott, Philip Younghusband, Alexander Borromeo (cpt), Emelio Calidong (David 32nd), Jason De Jong, Ian Araneta, Ray Jonsson
Subs: Eduard Sacapano (GK), Roel Gener, Yanti Armentia Barsales, Mark Ferrer, Nestorio Margase, Joebel Bermejo, David Basa
Coach: Simon Alexander McMenemy
Scorers: Philip Younghusband (76th – pen), James Younghusband (94th)
Yellow: Jason De Jong (16th), Neil (30th), James (42nd), Manuel (60th), Anton (90th)
Red:

Laos: Sengphachan Bounthisanh (GK), Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya, Kitsada (c), Ketsada Souksavanh, Lamnao Singtao (Khampeng 90th), Kanlaya Sysomvang, Keoviengphet Lithideth, Kaysone Soukhavong, Konekham Inthammavong (Phatthana 67th), Kovanh Namthavixay, Soukaphone Vongchiengkham (Visay 83rd),
Subs: Seng Athit Somvang (GK), Visay Phapouvaninh, Manolom Phomsouvanh, Viengsavanh Sayyaboun, Khamla Pinkeo, Phatthana Syvilay, Khampeng Sayavutthi

Coach: David Booth
Scorers: Soukaphone (29th), Kanyala (41st)
Yellow: Kanyala (18th), Konekham (61st), Kitsada (75th), Saynakhonevieng (77th)
Red:



Referee: Mongkolchai Pechsri (Tha)
Assistant 1: Preecha Kangram (Tha)
Assistant 2: U Aung Moe (Mya)


DAY 1 RESULTS

Timor Leste 0 Philippines 5

Laos 0 Cambodia 0

TODAY’S RESULTS

Cambodia 4 Timor Leste 2

Philippines 2 Laos 2


REMAINING FIXTURES

Oct 26: Philippines vs Cambodia (1600hrs) / Laos vs Timor Leste (1830hrs)

source: www.aseanfootball.org

Laos Squad List. SUZUKI CUP 2010

Laos Squad List, SUZUKI CUP 2010

Goalkeepers
1 Sengphachan BOUNTHISANH
18 Sourasay KEOSOUVANDENG
28 Seng Athit SOMVANG

Defenders
2 Saynakhonevieng PHOMMAPANYA
3 Kitsada
4 Ketsada SOUKSAVANH
5 Khamla PINKEO
6 Chandalaphone LIEPVISAY
16 Senlati VONGSOURIYASACK
19 Kovanh NAMTHAVIXAY
21 Souliya SYPHASAY
26 Mano NHOUVANNASAK
27 Saychon KHUNSAMNARN
29 Khamphoumy HANVILAY
30 Phongsavanh OULAVONG

Midfielders
7 Phatthana SYVILAY
10 Kanlaya SYSOMVANG
11 Keoviengphet LITHTHIDETH
13 Kaysone SOUKHAVONG
14 Konekham INTHAMMAVONG
17 Phonepaseuth SYSOUTHAM
20 Soukaphone VONGCHIENGKHAM
22 Manolom PHOMSOUVANH
24 Viengsavanh SAYYABOUN

Forwards
8 Lamnao SINGTO
9 Visay PHAPOUVANIN
12 Sangvone PHIMMASEN
15 Sopa SAYSANA
23 Tona BOUNMALAY
25 Khampheng SAYAVUTTHI


Coach: David BOOTH (England)

http://www.affsuzukicup.com/laos.html

Laos vs Cambodia Preview (SUZUKI CUP 2010)

Preview - Laos v Cambodia 

21-Oct-2010

Having topped the qualifying round in the last two editions of the AFF Suzuki Cup, Laos are confident that they can do so yet again when they host this year's qualifiers, which kicks-off at the National Sports Complex in Vientiane on Friday.

The Laotians have never failed to qualify for the group stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup and they will be buoyed by their performances in the last two qualifying competitions as well as the 2009 SEA Games on home soil, when they reached the semi-finals for the first time.

Speaking on Thursday, a day before the hosts open their qualification campaign against Indochinese rivals Cambodia, Laos team manager Pasadsay Pilapunded outlined his confidence in the squad coached by Englishman David Booth.

"Laos has been improved a lot since we made it to the semi-finals of the SEA Games," said Pilapunded.

"We have played a number of friendly matches in our preparation for this tournament and my team are 100% fit.

"I believe that Laos will win this qualifying round because we have plenty of experience. They players will also be trying their best because we are the home side and we will have many supporters coming to cheer us."

But the Laos manager did sound a note of caution for the match against Cambodia, who beat his side 3-2 in the qualifying round in 2008 and also qualified for the group stage after finishing runners-up behind Laos.

"It will be a tough game for us because this new Cambodian team have been improving very quickly," Pilapunded added. "They now have a professional League and an experienced coach."

South Korean Lee Tae-hoon, who took charge of Cambodia earlier this year, is relishing the challenge of his first international assignment with the Indochinese side.

"My team have prepared well for this tournament and we are upgrading ourselves every time we play," said the 39-year-old former K-League player.

"Every game is important for us, and we will be playing like we are in the final.

"Laos are fortunate to be the hosts and they will have many supporters to cheer them on. But my player are ready for tomorrow's game and we will be working very hard to get a result."

The two teams have met five times previously in the Asean Football Championship with each side winning two games and drawing the other.

Laos beat Cambodia 1-0 in Singapore in 1996 and 2-1 in Hanoi in 2004, while the Cambodians prevailed 3-0 in Songkhla in 2000 and 3-2 in Phnom Penh in 2008. They drew 2-2 in their 2007 qualifier in Bacolod. more visit:http://www.affsuzukicup.com/_webapp_702948/Preview_-_Laos_v_Cambodia

Laos football, English man coach, David booth

David Booth is no stranger in Southeast Asia as he has worked in many regional teams such as Khanh Hoa (V-League), BEC Tero Sasana (TPL), Brunei and Myanmar. Before coming to Laos, David Booth worked at Mahindra United, a top club in India.


source: vietnamfootball.blog

Photo: from Kplnet.net

Laos team won at the first warm up match

     Laos football national team has played with Thailand club " samoudpakan Fc" on 2/10/2010 to warm up and get ready for the Suzuki cup 2010 which will start to kick off on 22/10 in vientiane. the Warm up match was played at the Anouvong stadium and Laos team was  on the good form by beating the SAMOUDPAKAN FC 3:0.  the first goal was scored by a Laotian star Lamnao singto on the 2nd mins of the first half  which gave a lot of happiness to the fans. the first half Laos  1:0  leading the Thai club.  the second half started and Laos was still controlling of all the game and scored 2nd goal in the 64th mns by Gonkham Inthammavong and 3rd goal was scored by the a skinny lao striker Somphone vongjiangkham at the 78th mins and LAOS won 3:0 at full time.  Laos team will start to play the warm up match again with the Thai super star team in the next days .

Source:Kplnet.net