The Laos team arrived in Binh Duong at almost midnight.

Due to delays in immigration and baggage claim at Tan Son Nhat airport, the Lao team could only arrive in Binh Duong near midnight before their match against Vietnam.

Lao players push their luggage onto the bus heading to Binh Duong - Photo: NK

The Laos national team arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of March 22nd, before traveling to Binh Duong to prepare for their opening match against the Vietnam national team in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup on March 25th.

The flight carrying the Lao national team landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport at 8:45 PM. However, it wasn't until 10:30 PM that coach Ha Hyeok Jun and his team were able to exit the airport after waiting to complete immigration procedures and collect their luggage.

The Laotian players quickly pushed their luggage towards the waiting bus to continue their journey to Binh Duong. However, the bus couldn't depart until 11 PM because they were still waiting for the coaching staff.

Fatigue was inevitable, but the Laotian players still waved and smiled warmly when they saw the reporters. This was especially true for Damoth Thongkhamsavath, the Laotian midfielder of Vietnamese descent who recently joined Thanh Hoa FC.

Coach Ha Hyeok Jun and his coaching staff were the last group to leave Tan Son Nhat Airport - Photo: NK

But the last to leave Tan Son Nhat airport were coach Ha Hyeok Jun and a group of other assistants. The South Korean coach waited for his assistants to buy phone SIM cards before getting into his personal car to head to Binh Duong at 11:30 PM.

In preparation for their match against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup, the Laos national team recently lost a friendly match against Sri Lanka 1-2 at home.

Compared to the Laos team's 1-4 defeat to Vietnam in the group stage of the 2024 ASEAN Cup, coach Ha Hyeok Jun has added three new faces: Laotian players of French descent currently playing in Europe and the United States. These are midfielder Roman Angot, striker Theo Klein, and right-back Victor Ngovinassack.

All three previously played for the Laos U22 team at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia but were not called up for the ASEAN Cup 2024 due to commitments with their respective clubs and injuries.

According to the plan, the Laos national team will have their first training session at the auxiliary training ground in Binh Duong on the afternoon of March 23rd before having a training session to familiarize themselves with the main Go Dau stadium on the evening of March 24th.

New Thanh Hoa midfielder Damoth Thongkhamsavath on the bus preparing to go to Binh Duong - Photo: NK

Lao players take advantage of the time while waiting for the bus to depart for Binh Duong to use their phones - Photo: NK

Right-back Victor Ngovinassack - one of three Laotians of French descent - Photo: NK

Coach Ha Hyeok Jun (right) and his assistant staff board a vehicle to leave Tan Son Nhat Airport - Photo: NK

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NGUYEN KHOI