A wave of K-leaders is sweeping through Asia.
The Laos national football team, led by head coach Ha Hyuk-jun, won against Nepal 2-1 in the second match of Group F of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers held at New Laos National Stadium on June 10. Laos now has 1 win and 1 loss.
With this victory, Laos achieved a win in the AFC for the first time in 15 years. At the center of this achievement is Ha Hyuk-jun, a 55-year-old Korean head coach.
Having taken office in Laos in 2023, Coach Ha has accumulated diverse on-field experience coaching youth teams, clubs, and national teams in several Asian countries, including Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Myanmar. After assuming his role in Laos, he has pursued a restructuring of the national team and a generational transition. In particular, he has revamped the national team around homegrown players who developed through the youth system to maintain competitiveness.
Coach Ha Hyuk-jun is being credited with reviving Laos football with the victory against Nepal. This achievement is significant not only as a simple win but also for leading structural changes in Laos football, including strengthening collaboration with local coaches and reforming the youth development system.
Regarding the victory over Nepal, Coach Ha noted, "Honestly, I'm still a bit bewildered. As time goes on, I realize this win holds meaning beyond just three points. It was a significant moment for the fans, the association, and the players who have waited a long time."
Laos took the lead by scoring two goals first against Nepal. Coach Ha analyzed, "Nepal is a strong team in terms of physicality and experience. We focused on analyzing our opponent in advance, and the players executed the tactics well. The early header goal by Damos and Peter's long-range shot in the second half were decisive moments. It holds even greater significance that both players are products of the Laos youth system."
Following Vietnam's Park Hang-seo and Kim Sang-sik, Coach Ha Hyuk-jun has become a household name in Laos, with the public responding passionately. He revealed, "After the match, the fans walked a lap around the stadium. Children waved their hands in tears, and elders expressed their gratitude by saying 'thank you.' I realized how this victory can affect national sentiment and pride beyond just a sports result."
Laos, once a football outpost, has now gained the confidence to compete with other Southeast Asian nations. Coach Ha expressed, "This victory is not the end but the beginning. The upcoming matches against Vietnam and Malaysia will be against stronger opponents. We will continue to enhance our organization, fitness, and mentality to ensure this is not a one-time achievement."
Another Korean coach is gaining recognition for their leadership in Laos. Coach Ha appealed to the Laos fans, saying, "Everyone, we did it. But the real competition starts now. Let's prove together on the Asian stage that Laos can compete enough."
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