What is special about the Lao University football team?

BRIDGE OF IRON FRIENDSHIP

Sharing with Thanh Nien Newspaper, Dr. Khamtanh Somvong, Counselor for Cultural Education, Embassy of Laos in Vietnam, affirmed that as the head of the Lao University team, he personally looks forward to the opening day of the 2025 International Student Competition - THACO Cup.

Đội bóng Trường ĐH Lào có gì đặc biệt?- Ảnh 1. — Head coach Amphaivanh Chanthalavong has many years of experience in the professional football environment in Laos.

Mr. Khamtanh Somvong said: "When I received the invitation from the Organizing Committee of Thanh Nien Newspaper, I felt very happy and proud. I immediately reported to Laos so that we could form a football team to participate in the tournament for students in Vietnam. We have made careful preparations to contribute to the overall success of the tournament. Initially, we planned to send a team from a specific school in Laos. But after careful discussion, we thought that this team was representative of students nationwide in Laos, so we notified 4 major universities in Laos to select players."

The Lao University football team going to Vietnam to participate in the 2025 International Youth Championship - THACO Cup includes the best players from 4 schools, including: National University Laos, Champasak University, Souphanouvong University, Savannakhet University. "Lao people in general, when competing anywhere, do so for the flag and with a high spirit of determination. And of course, Lao students are the same. The student sports movement in Laos, including football, is very developed. Therefore, we want to show our best at the tournament organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper, aiming to compete for the highest position. Competing well, trying to achieve the best possible results, the performance of the Lao University team will become a driving force to encourage the student sports movement in Laos to continue to develop. More importantly, the international TNSV will be an important bridge, further tightening the friendship between Laos and Vietnam and other countries in the region, which is already very close and steadfast", Mr. Khamtanh Somvong shared.

STRONG STAFF

The captain of the Lao University football team participating in the 2025 International Youth Football Tournament - THACO Cup is Coach Amphaivanh Chanthalavong. Mr. Chanthalavong is currently working at the Department of High Performance Sports, Ministry of Education and Sports. He is also the head coach of Namtha United Club participating in the Lao National Championship in the 2024 - 2025 season. Previously, he led the Bay Savan Futsal Club to win the Lao Futsal League 2023 championship. According to information from the coaching staff, the Lao University football team participating in this tournament has 4 - 5 players who have played for clubs playing in the national championship, or played for the Lao U.17 and U.19 national teams.

Regarding the preparation process for the tournament, Coach Chanthalavong said that he and his colleagues encountered certain advantages and difficulties. "The Lao University team will gather the best student players from 4 schools. However, because the players are from many different provinces, it is difficult to gather to practice before the tournament. Of course, leading a football team is always difficult, but I am someone who likes to face challenges. I believe that with 11 years of experience, I can handle well the unexpected difficult situations that may arise when leading the Lao University football team," he said.

According to Coach Chanthalavong, the goal of the Lao University team in this tournament is to exchange, learn, and share culture through football. The team from the land of a million elephants also wants to gain more experience, as the teams participating in the tournament all come from more developed football backgrounds. Commenting on the opponents, Coach Chanthalavong shared: "Certainly all teams have prepared thoroughly. I believe that the two teams from the host country Vietnam will have the best preparation. In addition, the team from Malaysia is also worth noting. We will have to make great efforts. Our teachers and students are eagerly waiting for the day to leave for Vietnam. We would like to thank the tournament organizers for inviting and creating favorable conditions for the Lao University team. We will do our best when we take the field and try to achieve the best results."