25th SEA Games, Laos

Photo: Thai U-23 team


Vietnam and Thailand have confirmed they will not send their national men's under-23 football teams to participate in the pre-SEA Games tournament here next month.

However, both nations will send their national U-19 squads to take part in the event.

The Football Association of Thailand confirmed that their under-23 team cannot participate in the pre-SEA Games event because many players are committed to playing in the ongoing Thai Premier League.

The Vietnam under-23 team is busy training for the SEA Games in December and does not want to disrupt its preparations.

General Secretary of the Lao Football Federation, Mr Soulivanh Xeunvilay, said yesterday “Despite Vietnam and Thailand confirming their intention to send their U-19 squads instead of their U-23 teams, the date and schedule of the pre-SEA Games tournament will not change.”

“ Malaysia has confirmed they will send their U-23 squad to compete in the event,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Malaysian national under-23 side completed a tour of the Middle East with a scoreless draw against Jordan , a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia and a 1-0 defeat to a Saudi club side, according to the Asean Football Federation

The changes will see under-23 teams from Laos and Malaysia compete against under-19 squads from Vietnam and Thailand at the pre-SEA Games tournament next month.

The tournament is scheduled for October 2-6 with the aim of testing television broadcasting systems and facilities at the new national stadium, which has a 20,000 seat capacity and will also host the opening and closing ceremonies of the games in December.

On October 2, Laos will take on Thailand , and Vietnam will play Malaysia . October 4 will see Malaysia up against Thailand and Laos facing Vietnam , while the last day of the tournament will pit Laos against Malaysia and Vietnam with Thailand .

Games will kick off at 4:30pm and 7pm. All matches will be broadcast live on Lao National Television.

Tickets for the tournament will be sold for 40,000 kip for general admission and 80,000 kip for VIP seating.

The event presents a good opportunity for teams to catch a glimpse of the form of their opponents before the big event in December.

SEA Games rules mean players in the men's football event must be 23 years old or younger. The women's football event does not have an age limit for players.


By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes

(KPL) The Lao National Football Federation is cooperating with the Crossfire Company to host the four-nation pre-SEA Games men?s football tournament, which the company donated 100 million kip to cover the expenses.

Football?s fans would be able to see national football teams from Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in action in Vientiane from 2 to 6 October.

This five-day tournament would enable the SEA Games officials to test the broadcasting system and other facilities of the new national stadium.

Speaking during a press conference held here on Tuesday evening, President of the Lao National Football Federation, Mr Phouvanh Vongsouthi, said this tournament would serve as .a testing ground of the overall functioning of the various systems of the new stadium.

On 2 October Laos will play against Thailand and Vietnam will meet Malaysia. On 4 October the Malaysian team will play against Thailand and Laos will face Vietnam. On the last day Laos will meet Malaysia and Vietnam will play against Thailand.
The evening matches will commence at 4:30 pm and 7 pm.

Each match ticket will be availableat the rate of 40,000 kip for general admission and 80.000 kip for VIP seats. Proceeds from the sale of tickets will be used to fund local football matches.

In order to raise the standard of local media to international standard, the Crossfire Company engaged Total Sports Asia (TSA), an international media company, to bring foreign experts to provide media training to the SEA Games personnel and to the Lao National Television.

The Lao National Television will provide the broadcast feed to TSA for distribution to Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and other countries.

Crossfire Company Director, Thiphakhanh Vilavanh said the Four-Nations Football Tournament will have a special significance for Laos as it will enable her to demonstrate to the international audience that she is capable of hosting international quality events and to use the air waves to beam the games to the living rooms of people in the world.

During this press conference, the Lao National Football Federation, the Lao National Television and the Crossfire Company signed a cooperation agreement.

The main sponsors of the tournament are Lao Beer, Tigo, Don Chan Palace Hotel and C-Pack Monia.

More info, watch this clip