Star female Lao footballer poised to strike in 25th SEA Games
During a four-nation friendly football tournament held in Vientiane from September 9-14, the Lao women's team demolished Malaysia in the final 6-0 at the Chao Anouvong Stadium on Monday.
Top Lao striker Ms Souphavanh Phayvanh hopes to lead the women's football team to victory in the 25th SEA Games in December.
She said the team has shown vast improvement since beginning training with a coach from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea .
At last year's SEA Games in Thailand , the team came in fourth place. The Thai female football team took first place, Vietnam 's team placed second and Myanmar came in third.
Ms Souphavanh said she is honoured to represent Lao women in the competition on home soil and will work to the best of her ability.
The accomplished forward, aged only 17, lives in Don village, Pakngum district, Vientiane , and recently graduated from Sathit Secondary School at the National University of Laos.
She said it will be difficult for the Lao team to best the Thai and Vietnamese teams, which are sure to be strong opponents at this year's games.
She believes she will receive strength from fans attending the games to support their team.
At the moment, the player is still experiencing pain in her left leg due to an injury picked up during training and the recent friendly football competition, which included the Malaysian team, two clubs from Thailand and the Lao team.
She said she gained important experience from the exhibition matches and will now concentrate on training for the SEA Games.
Unfortunately, Ms Souphavanh is still suffering from injuries acquired in last year's games, and has been receiving treatment through the Lao Football Federation. Luckily, she will have an opportunity to receive further treatment in Thailand before the upcoming events.
She hopes to be a part of the national team for a long time after SEA Games are over.
Even though she will take part in the football event, she will also show her support for the sepak trakaw team because she also enjoys the sport.
She will study Physical Education at the National University of Laos and wants to continue her involvement in sports after graduation, perhaps working with the Lao National Sports Committee.
Next year she starts her university course, and will look back on her years of success, which began on a football field at primary school in her home village.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
