Laos coach admits helplessness against Malaysia's strength

After the 1-5 defeat to Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, coach Ha Hyeok Jun confessed that the Laos national team was entirely overwhelmed by the opponent's superior power and quality.

After a heavy 1-5 defeat to Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, coach Ha Hyeok Jun admitted that Laos’ plan to secure at least one point had failed. Despite a promising start with an unexpected opening goal, the gap in skill and stamina prevented his team from maintaining control of the game.

The match at Bukit Jalil began with great enthusiasm for Laos when young midfielder Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone scored, giving the visitors the lead in the first half. However, after the break, Malaysia surged back fiercely with a series of overwhelming attacks. The home team scored five consecutive goals, including an own goal by 17-year-old defender Khammanh Thapaseut, concluding the match with a dominant 5-1 victory.

After the match, coach Ha Hyeok Jun did not hide his disappointment as his team failed to execute their original plan. “Our goal was to make the match tougher for Malaysia and try to at least draw. In the first half, the players performed well, organizing solid defense and taking advantage of counterattacks. But in the second half, fatigue and Malaysia’s fierce offensive overwhelmed us,” he shared.

The Korean coach viewed this loss as a valuable lesson for the young Laos players, especially regarding maintaining focus and stamina throughout the full 90 minutes. “Malaysia is a strong team with experience and squad depth. We need to learn a lot from matches like this,” he added.

Despite the loss, coach Ha Hyeok Jun expressed pride in his players’ fighting spirit and confidence that they will grow with each game. Next, Laos will face Vietnam on November 19 in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. It will be a tough challenge, but the team from the Land of a Million Elephants remains determined to show a positive image and aim for a favorable result.