2023 AFC U17 Rankings: Laos U17 almost caused a shock against Thailand U17
Update the latest U17 Asia 2023 rankings, U17 Laos almost caused a shock against host U17 Thailand, U17 Malaysia lost heavily to U17 Yemen.
![]() |
Group A rankings after the opening day of the 2023 AFC U17 Championship. Photo: AFC |
Yesterday (June 15), the 2023 AFC U17 Championship Finals kicked off with two matches in Group A. Laos U17 almost won points against host Thailand U17, only to lose 1-2 in the 90+5 minute. Malaysia U17 suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat against Yemen U17.
After the first round of matches, U17 Yemen is leading Group A with the same 3 points as U17 Thailand but with a better sub-index. U17 Laos is temporarily in third place. U17 Malaysia is at the bottom of the table.
Notably, Laos U17 is led by female coach Phonethip Sengmany. This is the first time a men's team in Southeast Asia has been led by a female coach.
Phonethip Sengmany's team equalized 1-1 against U17 Thailand thanks to Peeter in the 26th minute, after Dutsadee scored in the 12th minute. Unfortunately, U17 Laos could not get a point in the opening match, because Chanothai scored the decisive goal right before the referee blew the final whistle.
Today (June 16), the 2023 AFC U17 Championship Finals will continue with 4 matches. In Group B, U17 Korea will meet U17 Qatar at 7:00 p.m. and U17 Afghanistan will meet U17 Iran at 9:00 p.m. In Group C, U17 Australia will meet U17 Saudi Arabia at 5:00 p.m. and U17 China will meet U17 Tajikistan at 9:00 p.m.
Vietnam U17 will play against India U17 in Group D at 7:00 p.m. on June 17. In the remaining match of Group D, Japan U17 will face Uzbekistan U17 at 5:00 p.m. on June 17./.