LAOS BANK ON KAMPHENG’S RETURN

Laos will open their Group B campaign against Myanmar at the newly-built National Stadium against Myanmar, who were the silver medallist two years ago in Korat.

“Kampheng has been out with a knee injury for quite some time and he even missed the pre-SEA Games which we hosted in early October,” said Laos team manager Viphet Sihachak, after the team managers’ meeting this morning.

“I believe that he will make a big difference to the team where his partnership with Lamnao (Singto) will ensure that we will have an attacking triumvirate alongside Kitsada (Thongkhen).”

“And with the fans coming to support the team just like they did during the pre-SEA Games, then we have all the ingredient to be successful.”

Part of Viphet’s confidence came off the fact that Laos had won the overall title at the pre-SEA Games following their 2-2 draw against Vietnam, a 3-0 win over Thailand and then a 1-1 draw against Malaysia.

And while Laos might not have fared as well in the BIDC Cup in Phnom Penh where they finished behind the Cambodia Under-23 team, Vietnamese clubs Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) and Vissai Ninh Binh, still Viphet remained sanguine.

“The pre-SEA Games was competitive while the BIDC Cup is more of a series of friendlies,” added Viphet.