Laos looking forward to U-16s

Sunday, 27 November 2011 16:23

Kuala Lumpur: Laos' preparation for the AFC U-16 Championship 2012 has already started in earnest and the current U-16 team is the best so far that will give strong nations a run for their money, Lao Football Federation General Secretary Xaybandith Rasphone said. Laos finished as the third best-placed team in Group F of the championship's qualification and joined group winners Japan and runners-up Korea Republic at the tournament proper, which will be held from September 20 to October 6 in Iran next year. Rasphone, who attended the two-day AFC General Secretary Induction Programme at AFC House, told the-afc.com: "We have gained a place in the AFC U-16 Championship 2012 so we are preparing ourselves to make sure we will be playing better in the matches to come. "We have also signed up a coach from DPR Korea to manage the under 16 team which boasts youngster who are also playing in the Lao League. "Also, we have planned friendly matches against Thailand and Australia hopefully next year and we also want to set up another friendly with a Middle East nation which would be a great out-of-the-region experience for our young players." "This under 16 team is the best that we have managed to assemble so far and we believe we have what it takes to give good competition to some of the best nations in the youth championship." http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/afc-u16-championship/37313-laos-looking-forward-to-u-16s