Laos were at their scintillating best in defeating Cambodia 5-1 in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers after each notched their second wins in Group B yesterday.
It was the second defeat for Cambodia having also lost 1-3 to Pakistan in their opening match of the qualifiers being held in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Only the seven group winners from the Qualifiers will progress and join the nine AFC representatives from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 that have already qualified: DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
In a cagey first half in Bishkek, that saw few chances created, Cambodia threatened through Poty Poy’s free-kick from an acute angle which was saved by Sankham Thavithong.
Four minutes later, Laos took the lead when Thanyavouth Xaychaleun got into the box and picked up Sitthilath Chanthamaly for a back-heel finish.
Laos doubled their advantage in the 41st minute through a Phoutphatai Chanthalangsy deflected strike that whizzed past Reaksa Mout but Cambodia pulled a goal back two minutes later via Pimakara Pov’s spot-kick.
Laos then took charge of the all-Southeast Asian clash in the second half with captain Odin Siphanit playing a pivotal role.
The forward rounded Mout to slot home in the 50th minute before teeing up Anousith Pradith to strike 12 minutes later with Siphanit then tapping home a rebound in the 69th minute.
Yemen, and Pakistan impressed again after each notched their second wins in Group B.
Yemen were too strong for Guam as the West Asian side ran out 10-0 winners with Pakistan showing their quality in a 3-1 success against Kyrgyz Republic.
RESULTS
Group A (Chongqing, China PR)
Bangladesh 8-0 Brunei Darussalam
Bahrain 2-1 Sri Lanka
China PR 14-0 Timor-Leste
Group B (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic)
Laos 5-1 Cambodia
Yemen 10-0 Guam
Kyrgyz Republic 1-3 Pakistan
Group C (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Malaysia 1-0 Hong Kong, China
Singapore 1-1 Macau
Vietnam 14-0 Northern Mariana Islands
Group D (Ahmedabad, India, UTC+5:30)
Chinese Taipei 0-5 IR Iran
Lebanon 1-1 Palestine
Group E (Aqaba, Jordan)
Jordan 0-1 Australia
Bhutan v Philippines
Group F (Chonburi, Thailand,)
Maldives 0-6 Turkmenistan
Mongolia 0-4 Thailand
Group G (Yangon, Myanmar)
Nepal 0-4 Myanmar
Syria 1-3 Oman
