Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuching: It’s classic beginner’s luck for Khamphanh Sonthanalay who scored the winner in Laos’ 2-1 win over Sri Lanka in their AFC Solidarity Cup 2016 curtain raiser on Thursday.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes at Negeri Stadium, Laos defender Moukda Souksavath drew first blood 12 minutes into the second half before Sonthanalay tapped in a Keoviengpheth Lithideth cross to double the advantage seven minutes before full time.
As Valakone Phomphakdy’s side fervently hoped the 2-0 score-line would stay that way until the final whistle, the Lankans did bring it one down through an Asikr Alawadeen header three minutes into stoppage time.
But it was too little too late for Sri Lanka and Sonthanalay’s goal eventually turned to be the winner during the most special time – his very first international appearance.
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“This is my first call-up to the national team and this is also my first game as a national player,” Sonthanalay told the-AFC.com. “I feel very happy to score my first international goal in my first outing.
“I felt before the game that it was my job was to score and I did it. I also felt lucky to have helped the team win our first match.
“After my goal, we felt happy as the clock ticked down closer to full-time but then when Sri Lanka scored theirs, I lost my concentration a bit. But then time was running out at that time and I felt confident that we’d still win this game.
“Anything can happen in football and in second-hand stoppage time that can turn the game around but in the end, we nailed it.”
Laos’ next game on Sunday will be against familiar foes Macau who also opened their campaign with a similar 2-1 victory over Mongolia in Thursday’s earlier game.
And the Laos No3 hoped he will score and help his team win again to have better chances of reaching the semi-finals from the four-team Group B.
“I’ll try to score again in our next game against Macau and hopefully I can help my team win,” said Sonthanalay. “Scoring is definitely a good thing, but winning is more important.
“It doesn’t matter who scores as long as we win, but I’ll try my best to help the team get ahead to the semi-finals of this competition.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports