Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Vientiane: Soukaphone Vongchiengkham scored a hat-trick as hosts Laos took pole position in the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Cup 2014 qualifiers with a 4-2 win over Brunei at the National Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Laos controlled the game early on, with Vongchiengkham striking twice in the first six minutes before Brunei reduced the deficit through Awangku Fakharrazi’s second goal in the qualifying campaign 12 minutes before the half-time whistle.
Khampheng Sayavutth, who scored a double in Laos' campaign opener against Cambodia two days earlier, restored his side's two-goal lead early in the second period before Vongchiengkham completed his hat-trick.
Shahrazen Said notched a consolation goal for Brunei who now face a tough task to qualify for the tournament proper for the first time since 1996, having failed to register a point after two games in the current qualifiers.
Laos now sit on top of the table with maximum points from their two games.
They are followed by Timor Leste who suffered a setback to their campaign after drawing 0-0 against Myanmar in a later game.
Both teams failed to convert their chances in a closely fought affair, with Kyaw Ko Ko coming closest to breaking the deadlock for favourites Myanmar with a first-half effort that hit the crossbar.
CURRENT STANDINGS:
Team - Matches played - Points
Laos - 2 - 6
Timor Leste - 2 - 4
Myanmar - 1 - 1
Cambodia - 1 - 0
Brunei - 2 - 0
Photo: AFF