Laos relies on Bounphachan, Damot, and Phoutthavong to fight against Vietnam.
Despite being eliminated from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, Laos is still aiming for a positive performance when they host Vietnam; Coach Ha Hyeok Jun has called up 23 players, including 9 from Ezra, hoping for the three players who play abroad.
Laos is focusing on three players currently playing abroad — Bounphachan Bounkong, Damot Thongkhamsavath, and Phoutthavong Sangvilay — with the goal of creating a positive image when they host Vietnam at 7 PM on November 19th at the Lao National Stadium, despite having already been officially eliminated from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
A young team, built on a foundation of experience.
Coach Ha Hyeok Jun had previously stated that he would give opportunities to many young players, especially those in the U22 age group. However, he still retained experienced key players to improve the team's performance after the heavy defeat at Go Dau Stadium in the first leg.
The training camp roster comprises 23 players, with 9 coming from Ezra FC – a familiar representative of the Lao National League. Based on this foundation, the greatest hopes are placed on three players currently playing abroad: Damot Thongkhamsavath (Thanh Hoa – Vietnam), Phoutthavong Sangvilay (BG Pathum United – Thailand), and Bounphachan Bounkong (Svay Rieng – Cambodia).
Three "flashpoints" that Vietnam needs to neutralize.
Bounphachan Bounkong: The record-breaking striker
The striker, born in 2000, holds the record for most goals scored for the Lao national team, with 21 goals in 38 appearances. At club level, Bounphachan plays in the Cambodian National League, appearing in 7 matches this season and scoring 1 goal for Svay Rieng.
Damot Thongkhamsavath: The link between the national team and the V-League
The 24-year-old midfielder is in his second season with Thanh Hoa in the V-League. This season, Damot has made 6 appearances but has yet to score or provide an assist. For the national team, Damot brings considerable experience with 19 appearances and 4 goals.
Phoutthavong Sangvilay: Less time at club, still plenty of time in the national team.
Phoutthavong has only made one appearance for BG Pathum United in the Thai League 2025/26. However, for the national team, he has 19 caps and scored 4 goals — a statistic that shows Phoutthavong's consistent role in the Laotian national team.
These three players are no strangers to the Vietnamese team, having faced each other numerous times at the national team or club level. With Laos' attack lacking depth, these are almost certainly the key "explosive points" that coach Kim Sang Sik and his players need to neutralize to maintain their advantage in this away match.
Selective statistics
| Player | current club | National Team Achievements | Club's performance this season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bounphachan Bounkong | Svay Rieng (Cambodia) | 38 matches, 21 goals | 7 matches, 1 goal |
| Damot Thongkhamsavath | Thanh Hoa (V-League) | 19 matches, 4 goals | 6 matches, 0 goals, 0 assists |
| Phoutthavong Sangvilay | BG Pathum United (Thailand) | 19 matches, 4 goals | 1 match |
Tactical perspective
The combination of a young squad and three seasoned national team players gives Laos a clear approach: optimizing the attacking moments of their forwards. Bounphachan is a natural choice in the penalty box, Damot brings V-League experience to the midfield, and Phoutthavong is a proven goal-scoring support option at the national team level.
Given Laos' lack of attacking depth, their ability to create opportunities from transitions or set pieces relies heavily on the aforementioned trio. For Vietnam, the key requirement is to control the space around these key players, limit the ball's reach to Bounphachan, and apply pressure in areas where Damot and Phoutthavong can play their roles.
Match schedule
The Laos-Vietnam match will take place at 7 PM on November 19th at the Laotian National Stadium.
