Laos national football team

The Laos national football team (Lao: ທິມຊາດ ບານເຕະ ແຫ່ງຊາດ ລາວ; French: Équipe du Laos de football) is the men's national football team that represents the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).

Laos
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)ລ້ານຊ້າງ / Lan Sang
(Million Elephants)
AssociationLao Football Federation
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationAFF (Southeast Asia)
Head coachVacant
CaptainBounphachan Bounkong
Most capsSoukaphone Vongchiengkham (57)
Top scorerVisay Phaphouvanin (18)[1]
Home stadiumNew Laos National Stadium
FIFA codeLAO
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 189 Steady (15 February 2024)[2]
Highest134 (September 1998)
Lowest210 (August 2012)
First international
 South Vietnam 7–0 Laos 
(Rangoon, Burma; 12 December 1961)[3]
Biggest win
 Laos 6–1 East Timor 
(Vientiane, Laos; 26 October 2010)
Biggest defeat
 United Arab Republic 15–0 Laos 
(Jakarta, Indonesia; 15 November 1963)
AFC Solidarity Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2016)
Best resultThird place (2016)
AFF Championship
Appearances12 (first in 1996)
Best resultGroup stage

History edit

Laos established their national football association in 1951. The South East Asian nation is still waiting to make its entrance into a major international competition. Laos have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, AFC Asian Cup or Asian Games and as an international side, their appearances have been restricted to regional tournaments such as the Southeast Asian Games and the AFF Championship. After years of internal strife, Laos focused on economic and political recovery. With the country achieving political stability, football has made an impact on Laotians.[5][6]

Since making their appearance at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games, Laos has competed in the inaugural 1996 AFF Championship, drawing against Vietnam 1–1 and winning against Cambodia 1–0. Although they are new to the regional tournaments, Laos has displayed a fiery passion and talent. In 1995, they beat Brunei and Philippines and two years later in the 1997 Southeast Asian Games held in Jakarta, they also beat Malaysia 1–0 and Philippines 4–1. Domestic competitions are also active with over 60 clubs competing at various levels. Domestic football is amateur although most of the top teams are drawn from government ministries and public services. In the qualifying preliminary rounds for the 2004 Asian Cup, Laos beat Bangladesh 2–1. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, Laos qualified for the second round as a lucky loser after Guam and Nepal both withdrew from the competition, but proceeded to lose all its games (against Qatar, Iran and Jordan).[7] They also advanced to the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, after defeating Cambodia 8–6 on aggregate. In the second round, they lost to China 13–3 on aggregate. Laos has defeated their much more established counterparts such as Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. Laos' first appearance in a continental tournament was in 2014, when they played at the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.[8][9] In 2016, Laos were invited to the inaugural 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup held in Kuching being grouped with Macau, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. In the first match, Laos won Sri Lanka 2–0 before losing to Macau 1–4 but bounced back with another win against Mongolia 3–0 sending the team to the knockout stage. They would go on to face Nepal in the semi-finals and were 2–2 at the end of extra time but lost in the penalty shootout, thus bowing out from the cup.

In 2023, Laos participated in the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification facing against Nepal. On 12 October 2023, Laos contested in a 1–1 draw at the Dasharath Rangasala in Kathmandu.

Results and fixtures edit

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023 edit

22 March 2023 (2023-03-22) 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup Nepal     2–0   Laos Kathmandu, Nepal
18:00 UTC+5:45
Report Stadium: Dasharath Rangasala Stadium
Attendance: 5,170
Referee: Sinan Hussain (Maldives)
25 March 2023 (2023-03-25) 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup Laos   2–1   Bhutan Kathmandu, Nepal
18:00 UTC+5:45
Report
Stadium: Dasharath Rangasala Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Javiz Mohamed (Maldives)
31 March 2023 (2023-03-31) 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup Final Nepal     2–1   Laos Kathmandu, Nepal
17:30 UTC+5:45
Report
Stadium: Dasharath Rangasala Stadium
Referee: Sinan Hussain (Maldives)
30 September 2022 (2022-09-30) Unofficial friendly Thailand U20   1–1   Laos Buriram, Thailand
17:30 UTC+7
Stadium: Chang Arena
Referee: Jirayu Lohapom Thailand
12 October 2023 (2023-10-12) 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round Nepal     1–1   Laos Kathmandu, Nepal
17:00 UTC+5:45
Report
Stadium: Dasharath Rangasala Stadium
Attendance: 11,235
Referee: Nivon Robesh Gamini (Sri Lanka)
17 October 2023 (2023-10-17) 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round Laos   0–1     Nepal New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
19:00 UTC+7 Report
Attendance: 9,772
Referee: Ali Reda (Lebanon)

2024 edit

5 September 2024 (2024-09-05) 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round Laos   v TBD TBD
--:-- 
10 September 2024 (2024-09-10) 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round TBD v   Laos TBD
--:-- 

Coaching staff edit

 
In October 2018, V. Sundramoorthy became the head coach of the Laos national football team. He was joined by V. Selvaraj who managed Laos' youth teams and also assisted him in the senior team. In October 2021, Sundramoorthy became the Technical Director of the team while Selvaraj took over his head coach position.
Position Name
Technical director   V. Sundramoorthy
Team manager   Nitar Thatsanithone
Head coach   Vacant
Assistant coach   Viengsavanh Sayyaboun
  Phoutpasong Sengdalavong
Goalkeeper coach   Chanthakhad Siengpongsai
Team doctor   Banchong Jinda
  Buaphan Sihavong
  Chanthit Inchai
Equipment manager   Savai Olathai
Team management   Outtama Khangmanivong
Media manager   Thaiphakone Phakasy

Coaching history edit

As of 20 September 2023

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following 23 players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round against Nepal on 12 and 17 October 2023.[10]

Caps and goals as of 27 September 2023, after the match against the Nepal.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Kop Lokphathip (2006-05-08) 8 May 2006 (age 17) 0 0   Ezra
18 1GK Xaysavath Souvanhansok (1999-09-03) 3 September 1999 (age 24) 8 0   Namtha United
21 1GK Anoulak Vilaphone (2001-02-15) 15 February 2001 (age 23) 0 0   Master 7

2 2DF Phoutthavong Sangvilay (2004-10-16) 16 October 2004 (age 19) 13 2   Ezra
3 2DF Vanna Bounlovongsa (1998-11-21) 21 November 1998 (age 25) 4 0   HBT 941
4 2DF Anantaza Siphongphan (2004-11-09) 9 November 2004 (age 19) 14 0   Ezra
5 2DF Thipphachanh Inthavong (1999-08-14) 14 August 1999 (age 24) 10 0   Young Elephants
12 2DF Chittakone Vannachone (2004-12-24) 24 December 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Luang prabang
13 2DF Thanouthong Kietnalonglop (2001-03-05) 5 March 2001 (age 23) 3 0   Young Elephants
16 2DF Xayasith Singsavang (2000-12-13) 13 December 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Namtha United
19 2DF Inthachak Sisouphan (2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 22) 2 0   Luang Prabang
20 2DF Sengdaovy Hanthavong (1998-10-04) 4 October 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Young Elephants
22 2DF Aphixay Thanakhanty (1998-07-15) 15 July 1998 (age 25) 8 0   Ezra

6 3MF Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone (2004-02-17) 17 February 2004 (age 20) 11 0   Ezra
8 3MF Michael Vang (2000-05-13) 13 May 2000 (age 23) 3 0   Miami
14 3MF Chanthaviphone Phoumsavanh (2005-06-19) 19 June 2005 (age 18) 0 0   Namtha United
15 3MF Damoth Thongkhamsavath (2004-04-03) 3 April 2004 (age 19) 3 0   Ezra
23 3MF Phoutdavy Phommasane (1994-02-02) 2 February 1994 (age 30) 11 0   Master 7

7 4FW Anousone Xaypanya (2002-12-16) 16 December 2002 (age 21) 9 0   Ezra
9 4FW Kydavone Souvanny (1999-12-22) 22 December 1999 (age 24) 10 1   Young Elephants
10 4FW Chony Wenpaserth (2002-11-27) 27 November 2002 (age 21) 13 1   Ezra
11 4FW Soukphachan Lueanthala (2002-08-24) 24 August 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Master 7
17 4FW Bounphachan Bounkong (captain) (2000-11-29) 29 November 2000 (age 23) 23 4   Svay Rieng

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have also been called up to the Laos squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up

DF Nalongsit Chanthalangsy (2001-12-03) 3 December 2001 (age 22) 12 1   Namtha United 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup
DF At Viengkham (2000-10-24) 24 October 2000 (age 23) 9 0   Master 7 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup
DF Phetdavanh Somsanid (2004-04-24) 24 April 2004 (age 19) 5 0   Master 7 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup
DF Phonsack Seesavath (2004-10-04) 4 October 2004 (age 19) 4 0   Young Elephants 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup

MF Soukaphone Vongchiengkham (1992-03-09) 9 March 1992 (age 32) 58 15   Nakhon Si United 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup
MF Sonexay Phanhthaxay (2001-06-10) 10 June 2001 (age 22) 0 0   Master 7 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup
MF Thanongsay Rammangkoun (2003-04-12) 12 April 2003 (age 20) 2 0   Namtha United 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup

FW Vannasone Douangmaity (1997-03-15) 15 March 1997 (age 27) 10 1   Namtha United 2023 Prime Minister's Three Nations Cup

Records edit

As of 25 March 2023[11]
Players in bold are still active with Laos.

Most appearances edit

 
Soukaphone Vongchiengkham is Laos' most capped player with 57 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Soukaphone Vongchiengkham 57 15 2010–present
2 Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya 54 2 2006–2016
3 Visay Phaphouvanin 51 18 2002–2013
4 Khampheng Sayavutthi 50 15 2010–2017
5 Phoutthasay Khochalern 43 1 2013–present
6 Ketsada Souksavanh 36 3 2008–2014
7 Keoviengphet Liththideth 35 4 2010–2018
Khamphoumy Hanvilay 35 0 2011–2016
9 Khonesavanh Sihavong 34 6 2012–2017
10 Chalana Luang-Amath [vi] 32 5 1996–2004

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Period
1 Visay Phaphouvanin 18 51 0.35 2002–2013
2 Khampheng Sayavutthi 15 50 0.3 2010–2017
Soukaphone Vongchiengkham 15 57 0.26 2010–present
4 Bounlap Khenkitisack 6 16 0.38 1993–2000
Lamnao Singto 6 20 0.3 2004–2011
Phithack Kongmathilath 6 23 0.26 2017–present
Phatthana Syvilay 6 31 0.19 2010–2016
Khonesavanh Sihavong 6 34 0.18 2012–2017
9 Kanlaya Sysomvang 5 19 0.26 2010–2012
Sitthideth Khanthavong 5 24 0.21 2012–2016
Chalana Luang-Amath [vi] 5 32 0.16 1996–2004

Competition records edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup qualification
Year Round Pld W D L F A Pld W D L F A
1930 to 1950 Part of   France Part of   France
1954 to 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
    2002 Did not qualify 6 1 1 4 3 40
  2006 8 0 1 7 3 36
  2010 Did not enter[12] Did not enter
  2014 Did not qualify 4 1 0 3 9 21
  2018 8 1 1 6 6 29
  2022 2 0 1 1 0 1
      2026 2 0 1 1 1 2
      2030 To be determined To be determined
  2034
Total 0/19 30 3 5 22 22 129

AFC Asian Cup edit

AFC Asian Cup record AFC Asian Cup qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1956 Did not enter Did not enter
  1960
  1964
  1968
  1972 Withdrew Withdrew
  1976
  1980
  1984 Did not enter Did not enter
  1988
  1992
  1996
  2000 Did not qualify 3 1 0 2 2 14
  2004 2 1 0 1 3 6
        2007 Did not enter Did not enter
  2011
  2015 Did not qualify AFC Challenge Cup
  2019 12 1 2 9 8 41
  2023 2 0 1 1 0 1
  2027 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/18 19 3 3 13 13 62

Asian Games edit

Asian Games record
Year Result M W D L GF GA
  1998 21st 2 0 0 2 1 11
2002–present See Laos national under-23 football team
Total 1/13 2 0 0 2 1 11

AFC Challenge Cup edit

AFC Challenge Cup record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA
  2006 Removed by AFC
  2008 Withdrew[13]
  2010 did not enter
  2012 did not qualify
  2014 Group stage 8/8 3 0 1 2 1 7
Total Group stage 1/5 3 0 1 2 1 7

AFC Solidarity Cup edit

AFC Solidarity Cup record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
  2016 Third place 5 3 1 1 11 9

AFF Championship edit

This competition was formerly known as the Tiger Cup

AFF Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1996 Group stage 7th 4 1 1 2 5 10 No qualification
  1998 7th 3 0 1 2 2 8 2 1 0 1 2 4
  2000 9th 4 0 0 4 0 16 No qualification
    2002 8th 3 0 1 2 3 8
    2004 8th 4 1 0 3 4 16
    2007 8th 3 0 0 3 1 23 4 3 1 0 11 6
    2008 8th 3 0 0 3 0 13 4 3 0 1 9 7
    2010 8th 3 0 1 2 3 13 3 1 2 0 8 3
    2012 7th 3 0 1 2 6 10 4 2 1 1 5 4
    2014 8th 3 0 0 3 2 12 4 3 0 1 10 6
    2016 did not qualify 3 2 0 1 7 6
  2018 Group stage 9th 4 0 0 4 3 12 Qualified automatically
  2020 9th 4 0 0 4 1 14
  2022 9th 4 0 1 3 2 15
Total Group stage 13/14 45 2 6 37 32 170 24 15 4 5 52 36

Football at the Southeast Asian Games edit

Head-to-head record edit

Last match updated was against     Nepal on 17 October 2023[14]

Key
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (equal W/L ratio)
Negative balance (more Losses)
Opponents Pld W D L GF GA GD Confederation
  Afghanistan 3 0 2 1 1 3 -2 AFC
  Bangladesh 5 1 2 2 4 5 -1 AFC
  Bhutan 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 AFC
  Brunei 11 10 0 1 30 15 +15 AFC
  Cambodia 17 6 3 8 24 30 -6 AFC
  China 2 0 0 2 3 13 −10 AFC
  Chinese Taipei 4 0 1 3 4 10 −6 AFC
  Egypt 1 0 0 1 0 15 -15 CAF
  Guam 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 AFC
  Hong Kong 3 0 0 3 3 13 −10 AFC
  India 2 0 0 2 1 7 −6 AFC
  Indonesia 10 0 1 9 9 45 −36 AFC
  Iran 3 0 0 3 1 20 −19 AFC
  Jordan 2 0 0 2 2 8 −6 AFC
  Kazakhstan 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 UEFA
  Kuwait 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 AFC
  Lebanon 2 0 0 2 0 9 −9 AFC
  Lesotho 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 CAF
  Macau 2 0 0 2 2 7 -5 AFC
  Malaysia 19 1 5 13 10 59 −49 AFC
  Maldives 4 0 1 3 3 15 −12 AFC
  Mongolia 5 3 1 1 8 5 +3 AFC
  Myanmar 18 0 4 14 11 55 −44 AFC
    Nepal 6 0 3 3 5 9 −4 AFC
  Oman 0 0 0 2 0 19 −19 AFC
  Philippines 13 7 2 4 22 21 +1 AFC
  Qatar 0 0 0 2 1 11 −10 AFC
  Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 1 0 4 −4 AFC
  Singapore 13 1 1 11 12 42 −30 AFC
  South Korea 7 0 0 5 0 28 −28 AFC
  Sri Lanka 7 3 2 2 11 12 -1 AFC
  Syria 2 0 0 2 0 20 −20 AFC
  Thailand 12 1 1 10 14 45 −31 AFC
  East Timor 8 7 0 1 22 9 +13 AFC
  Turkmenistan 2 0 0 2 3 9 −6 AFC
  United Arab Emirates 3 0 0 3 0 9 −9 AFC
  Vietnam ^ 22 0 2 20 5 86 −81 AFC
Total (37) 212 42 30 140 217 667 −450

^ Includes the result of   North Vietnam and   South Vietnam

Honours edit

Kit suppliers edit

Kit supplier Period Notes
  Adidas 2004
  Deffo 2006–2007
  FBT 2008–2014
  King Tiger 2015–2016
  FBT 2016–2019
  Grand Sport 2019–

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Laos matches, ratings and points exchanged". World Football Elo Ratings: Laos. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  5. ^ "LFF hold knowledge exchange workshop with DFL". Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Laos National Team - Thailandoriginalmade". Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  7. ^ https://www.thai2english.com/dictionary/Laos%20national%20football%20team.html Archived 6 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine[bare URL]
  8. ^ "Laos national football team: FIFA ranking". www.11v11.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Laos". 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Squad List". Facebook (in Lao). Laos Football Federation.
  11. ^ "Laos". National Football Teams.
  12. ^ "Record number of 204 teams enter preliminary competition". FIFA Media Department. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  13. ^ "Laos withdraw from AFC Challenge Cup". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 2 May 2008. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  14. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Laos". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.

External links edit