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Lao Youth Football Team Goes Undefeated, Winning Trophy in Portugal

This Week

The young soccer players of W.I.G. NAGA, a Lao national youth team, held a golden trophy beside the Lao flag after emerging victorious at the International Youth Football Tournament held from 30 June to 6 July in Estoril, Portugal.

Upon their return on 10 July, students and fans gathered at the Patuxay Monument to welcome the team and celebrate their triumph.

Composed of 12 players selected from Salavan, Attapeu, Xayabouly, and Luang Prabang, the NAGA team faced competition from 15 different countries. The tournament featured 48 teams divided into 12 groups.

A Perfect Run

From their first match, W.I.G. NAGA stepped onto the field with one goal: to win. They began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over GD Estoril Praia. This early win fueled their momentum.

What followed was a show of dominance. NAGA trounced FC Nana Junior from Romania 12-0 and crushed Indy Eleven from the United States 14-0.

Advancing into the knockout rounds, the pressure mounted, but so did their determination. They defeated União Nogueirense FC 2-0, then faced GD Estoril Praia once again in the quarterfinals, securing a convincing 4-0 win. 

In the semifinals, they continued their winning streak with another 4-0 victory, this time against VGA FT from France.

The final showdown against Portugal’s CS Os Belenenses promised to be a tough battle. NAGA held strong. They clinched a 2-0 victory and sealed their place as tournament champions.

Over seven matches, the team scored 41 goals and conceded only one, finishing the tournament undefeated.

A Nation Celebrates

“I’m so proud of my children (referring to the team), they’re very strong,” said Viengxay Vilaykoun, president of the Soccer Academy.

He noted that CS Os Belenenses initially applied intense pressure during the final match, but the NAGA players drew on their training and experience to regain their composure and mount a successful response.

“I never expected we would come this far. When I heard the Lao national anthem, all my overwhelming feelings flowed through my tears,” he added.

Their success has sparked international interest, with organizations from Italy, Greece, and Brazil reportedly reaching out to invite Laos to future tournaments.

Voices from the Field

Among the team’s standout players was top scorer Akalath Vilaykoun, known as Tiger, who netted 21 goals during the tournament.

“We practiced for over six months, training three hours every morning and evening with dedication and a proper diet. It’s worth it because we brought victory to Laos,” said Tiger.

He added that playing against European teams was a valuable learning experience, further fueling his dream of one day joining the national team.

Coach Sonevilay Sihavong also reflected on the team’s preparation, which included nearly three months of intensive training in Laos.

“We learned from the U16 teams to get the most out of it, studying their strategies and techniques,” he explained. “We plan to push our kids to be in the national team in the next two years.”

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