HAGL Attapeu Football Club have become the hottest team in Laos thanks to the six points they have garnered from their first two matches of the HAGL Lao Premier League 2013.
The southern football team defeated a strong Ezra side in a hard fought 1-0 battle to push them to the top of the table. Meanwhile newcomers Lao Lane Xang put up a strong performance to come away with a 2-2 draw against Yotha FC from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
The match between Ezra and Attapeu, held at Chao Anouvong Stadium, was the highlight of the weekend’s action. The host team Ezra were fast out of the blocks early on, pressing hard for a goal, but Attapeu were quick on the counter attack and had many shots at goal.
At the back end of the first half, the hosts appeared to be tiring and Attapeu took the opportunity to turn the screws a little and up the ante against their opponents.
Their efforts came to fruition when midfielder Chanthaphone Vaenvongsod headed the ball into the back of the net in the 45th minute, to forge ahead in the dying stages of the first half.
Ezra fought hard to find an equaliser in the second half but to no avail, while Attapeu couldn’t increase their lead, and the second half finished with the score unchanged.
However, the good technique, teamwork and physical presence of the Attapeu players was on display for all to see, and they look to be a touch better than the other teams at this stage of the competition.
HAGL Attapeu assistant coach Outhiya Chanthabandith said they were happy to win over a strong team like Ezra, and they knew it wasn’t going to be easy to come away with three points from the match.
“We made sure we were fit for this match because we knew we were facing one of the stronger teams,” Outhiya said.
“There are several other strong teams as well, including Police from the Ministry of Public Security, Yotha from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and also Eastern Star, which will all pose challenges for Attapeu.”
He added that the Champassak club was another that has been touted as tough, but after watching them play, Attapeu are confident they can overcome them. “We will visit the SHB Champassak team on May so the head coach will work hard on a strategy to defeat them.”
In other HAGL Lao Premier League 2013 matches last weekend, Lao Lane Xang drew 2-2 with Yotha, Police defeated Eastern Star 3-1 and Champassak trounced Friends Development at home 6-0.
Next weekend, Police will face SHB Champassak at the National Stadium and Lao Lane Xang will play against Ezra at Chao Anouvong Stadium on Saturday, with kickoff at 4pm.
On Sunday HAGL Attapeu will face Yotha, and Friends Development will meet Eastern Star at the National Stadium.
