Savannakhet sees off Army on penalties
December 28, 2004
Sisay Vilaysack /Vientiane Times

NEXT year’s National games host Savannakhet thrust themselves into the final berth of the PM’s Cup, taking out the more experienced Lao League team Army FC 4-2 on penalties in Sunday’s semi match.
Army FC thus became the third tipped Lao League side to fall after defending champions MCTPC lost in last week’s first round and Lao – American Collage FC were downed in the semi – finals on Sunday.
Savannakhet played the game very defensively, with infrequent counterattacks, while the Army side were much more creative in trying to open the scoring.
Army frequently found its way into the Savannalhet penalty area only for the shot to be plucked from the air by goalkeeper Bualay Khaikhamphithoun, whose super-saver efforts were rewarded being voted man of the match by the thousands spectators at the game.
The match came down to extra time when neither side had hit the back of the net. When extra time ended, the score was still a frustrating, nail-biting 0-0,and the ref called for the high – noon of a penalty shootout.
The first attempt, by Army’s Phaivane Luanglath, was saved by the keeper, while Savannakhet’s first three shots hit the target. After the full round of five penalties each, Savannakhet had missed only once, while Army had made two mistakes.
Savannakhet midfielder Oudavane Lattanavongsa, whose last shot ensured victory, said, “ I was extremely nervous, because if I missed, that would have been the opportunity our opponents needed to draw level. If I made the shot, my team would be the winner. So I had to try to take full control of myself before taking the shot.”
“When the ball shot past the Army goalkeeper into the net, I was very happy because thousands of our fans in Savannakhet province were hoping to see us take the game and enter the final. I would like to thank all my teammates and our fans for giving so much encouragement to me,” he added.
Head coach Vangchay Meuangmany said, “We knew that the Army side were much more experienced. Many of them had played for the national team. So I decided the best way to plan the match was to defend strongly, because if we could draw and go to penalties, we would have a good chance to win the match.”
“When it was still 0-0 at full time, we were more confident. Our defense and especially the keeper did really well. When we went into extra time, I was sure that we would win because our goalkeeper played such a blinder today.
“I think we area 50-50 chance to taking out the final, because our opponent is Vientiane FC. We drew 1-1 with them in the first round of group B. They qualified for the semis by topping the Group, while my team was runner- up.”
“I will change the plan for the match against Vientiane FC on Wednesday, and I think we will not be so defensive. It will hopefully not be a draw like in the first round,” Vangchay added.
In the other semi match, Vientiane FC defeated Lao-American Collage FC 3-0 Vientiane’s Visay Phaphouvanine put in their first in the 48th minute, Saiyane Douangchanpheng in the 71st minute and Visay Phaphouvanine put in a third in the 75th minute while Lao-American Collage were still off balance.
The final of this year PM’s Cup, between Savannakhet province and Vientiane FC, will be played on Wednesday at 4:30pm, screened live by the National Television nationwide. A bonus for on - ground spectators will be a special lucky draw, prizes supplied by official sponsors the Lao Brewery Company.

If Vientiane team could not get the gold medal from the Football match in National sport, better not to send Lao team to international stage. There are a lot of super stars in vientiane, so make many goals as you can.