Ha Hyeok-jun (left) addressing the media. - Photo by FAM
KUALA LUMPUR: Laos know they still have a mountain to climb if they want to close the gap with South-East Asia’s football powerhouses.
Ranked No. 185 in the world, the side coached by South Korean Ha Hyeok-jun have long been regarded as the region’s wooden spoonists.
But in recent years, there have been small but visible signs of improvement.
In the AFC Asian Cup 2027 third-round qualifiers, Group F, Laos began their campaign with a 0–5 loss to Vietnam on March 25 before bouncing back with a 2–1 win over Nepal on June 10.
However, they were brought back down to earth when Harimau Malaya beat them 3–0 in Vientiane on Oct 9.
The Laotians will now face Malaysia again in the return fixture at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight, hoping to produce a stronger performance.
During the pre-match press conference yesterday, coach Hyeok-jun was candid about the team’s limitations and the challenges facing football development in Laos.
“We learned a lot from the 0-3 defeat in the first leg – Malaysia were clearly the better team then,” he said.
“We’ve analysed that match in detail, identified our mistakes, and have worked hard to fix them.
“Although preparation time was short, our players are united and motivated. We’ll do our best to make our people proud.
“Teams like Malaysia and Indonesia have advanced leagues and experienced players, so they can prepare efficiently even with limited time,” he said.
The 55-year-old Hyeok-jun also spoke about his long-term vision.
“Laos is still developing compared to countries like Thailand or Malaysia, but there’s talent here. What we need most is a system.
“My role is to help establish that structure. We have promising players like Bounpachan Bounkong, and Peter Phanthavong, but progress requires long-term investment in youth academies and club organisation.
“To truly grow, Laos must build a system similar to South Korea or Japan. That could take five to 10 years, but if we lay the right foundations, the future can be bright.”
When asked about the ongoing eligibility and nationality issues surrounding several South-East Asian teams, Hyeok-jun offered a measured response.
“Countries like South Korea and Japan have never used this approach for a reason.
“It can bring short-term benefits but also long-term risks,” he said.
