Lamnao is king

The Laos line-up of heroes before their 2-0 win over Indonesia

Last night was a big night for the Laos fans, who packed the small stadium at Chao Anouvong to cheer on their national team to success against Indonesia. And it worked, they won 2-0 with their golden boy Singto Lamnao getting both goals. Yes, the same guy who embarrassed himself in Phnom Penh during the BIDC Cup for taking a dive and getting sent off. Here, he is revered and his two goals in the 2nd half gave the Laos team the much-needed win. Okay the first goal looked suspiciously offside but they are the home team so decisions like that will go in their favour. I think Laos getting through to the semi-finals will be a good thing for the football competition as it will certainly guarantee packed houses. At the ground I met Chamroeun, my colleague from the Phnom Penh Post, who arrived with the rest of the Cambodian delegation last night. A fleet of four buses carried the whole of the Cambodia contingent of competitors and officials overland for two days. I was also interviewed on camera by the Laos Women's Magazine for my views on the SEA Games, what I thought of Laos and also of ladies football. Of course, I was more than happy to oblige, having watched half a game of ladies football yesterday lunchtime at the National University ground. In the earlier match last night at Chao Anouvong, Singapore were too strong for Myanmar, especially in the air, winning 2-1 with two first-half goals. In fact Singapore look like a team of Asian giants compared to the Cambodian line-up, much as they did in Phnom Penh a few months ago, when they came and walloped us 6-nil.

Laos national team coach Alfred Reidl being interviewed last night

The Singapore coach Terry Pathmanathon, a former teammate of Scott O'Donell in Malaysia

A team of Asian giants, Singapore

The Myanmar coach at the after match press conference, Drago Mamic - he wasn't happy

The plucky Myanmar line-up before the game