Laos U22 team trains in Thailand, awaiting their opening match at the SEA Games 33.
Coach Ha Hyeok Jun has summoned 22 Lao U22 players to Chon Buri for training, the core of whom played against Vietnam on November 19th; Bounkong is absent due to being overage. Their opening match is against Vietnam U22 on December 4th.
The Laos U22 team has traveled to Chon Buri (Thailand) for a training camp with 22 players in preparation for Group B of the men's football tournament at the 33rd SEA Games, where they will face Vietnam U22 in their opening match on December 4th. The squad announced by coach Ha Hyeok Jun mainly consists of players who recently participated in the match against Vietnam in the Asian Cup qualifiers on November 19th.
Preparation focus: maintaining core players, eliminating overage players.
In this training camp, the U22 Laos team retains the same core squad that played against Vietnam, including midfielder Damoth Thongkhamsavath (currently playing for Thanh Hoa), striker Peter Phanthavong, and defenders Khounthoumphone, Xaysombath, and Okham Latsachack. Laos' key striker, Bounkong Bounphachan, is absent due to being overage for the SEA Games. It is highly likely that the current list of 22 players will be the official squad for the U22 Laos team at this year's tournament.
Highlights from the match against Vietnam: defensive discipline, late-game opportunities.
In the match against Vietnam on November 19th, the Laotian team, with its core of U22 players, played tightly, preventing their opponents from scoring in the first half. Statistics from Sofascores show that Laos had 7 shots on goal against Van Lam, mostly concentrated towards the end of the second half. These facts demonstrate that the U22 Laotian team entered the SEA Games 33 with a reliable defensive foundation and the ability to create breakthroughs in the final stages of the match.
Coach Ha Hyeok Jun's approach: prioritizing youth development.
Since taking charge of the Lao national teams, coach Ha Hyeok Jun has brought a positive change with a focus on youth football development. Maintaining a core group of players who have recently competed internationally, along with supplementary training experience in Chon Buri, is consistent with this direction. In Group B of the SEA Games 33, although not the top contender, the U22 Lao team is still considered an interesting dark horse for coach Kim Sang Sik's team.
Home advantage: possibility of a venue change in Group B.
Regarding organizational matters, given the widespread flooding in Songkla province (Thailand), there is a possibility that the Group B matches of the men's football tournament at the 33rd SEA Games may have to be moved to a different location. This could affect the schedules and playing conditions of the teams, including the U22 Laos and U22 Vietnam teams.
Key takeaways ahead of the opening match.
- Training in Chon Buri with 22 players, maintaining the core squad that played in the match on November 19th.
- Key players: Damoth Thongkhamsavath, Peter Phanthavong, Khounthoumphone, Xaysombath, Okham Latsachack.
- Bounkong Bounphachan was absent due to being overage.
- Statistics from Sofascores: 7 shots on goal against Vietnam, mostly towards the end of the second half.
- Opening match of Group B: U22 Laos vs. U22 Vietnam, December 4th.
With focused preparation and positive signs from their most recent match, the Laos U22 team enters the SEA Games 33 aiming to spring a surprise in their opening match against Vietnam U22.
