Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuching: Moukda Souksavath and Khamphanh Sonthanalay were both on the scoresheet as Laos got their AFC Solidarity Cup Malaysia 2016 off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka in Group B on Thursday.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes at Negeri Stadium, the Southeast Asians took the lead on 57 minutes through Souksavath before Sonthanalay doubled their advantage with seven minutes remaining.
Asikur Alawadeen headed home a consolation for Sri Lanka in stoppage time but Laos held out to claim all three points.
The sides traded early attacks on the rain-soaked pitch before Sri Lanka had the first chance of the tie when Liyana Bandara failed to connect with Kavindu Ishan’s lobbed cross.
Then on 16 minutes Laos had their first sight on goal as Sitthideth Khantavong’s ball from just outside the box found captain Phatthana Syvilay, who failed to take advantage of the one-on-one situation when he shot wide of Sri Lanka ‘keeper Sujan Perera’s left post.
Laos failed to take advantage of a spate of corners midway through the half with Syvilay’s effort directly at Perera from the fifth and final one the closest they came, before the custodian was again on hand to fist out Santi Somphoupheth’s dangerously curling effort.
The Southeast Asians came out strongly after the restart and Khanthavong crossed for Sangvone Phimmasen, who was off target from 12 yards.
But Valakone Phomphakdy’s side finally broke the deadlock shortly before the hour when Souksavath headed home from close in after the Sri Lanka defence failed to deal with a corner from the right.
PHOMPHAKDY CREDITS LAOS' SET-PIECE TRAINING FOR WIN OVER LANKANS
Spurred by the goal, Laos looked to increase their advantage and substitute Xaisongkham Champathong struck the woodwork, before Syvilay drilled wide.
Laos continued to push for the second and Khouanta Sivongthong found Syvilay, but the midfielder again failed to convert.
And with only one goal in it Sri Lanka remained in the contest and Edison Figurado struck the post following substitute Johar Zarwan’s corner from the left before Sanjeewa Edirisuriya missed the rebound.
Laos then gave Sri Lanka a mountain to climb when Keoviengpheth Lithideth’s cross-goal effort from the right was tapped in by defender Sonthanalay.
The South Asians did get on the scoresheet three minutes into added time through Alawadeen’s header from another Zarwan corner but it was too little too late as Laos saw out the game.
Photo: AFC