Laos football team faces scrutiny following Asean Championship performance
Head coach Vladica Grujic remains in post amid federation investigation into match-fixing and gambling allegations
Quick Look
Laos national football team coach Vladica Grujic faces questions about his tenure following a disastrous Asean Championship campaign marked by heavy defeats and an official investigation into allegations of match-fixing, bribery, and illegal gambling.
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Why It Matters
The Laos football federation is investigating allegations of match-fixing, bribery, and illegal gambling following a series of heavy losses in the Asean Championship.
Vladica Grujic skirted the question over why he wanted to remain Laos head coach after the dismal fallout from their recent Asean Championship campaign, but the inquiry was valid.
The opponents for Hong Kong’s opening Fifa Asean Cup match at Kai Tak Stadium on Sunday, Laos made wholesale changes for the tournament after the country’s football federation called for an investigation into alleged match-fixing, bribery and illegal gambling among its own squad following a series of heavy Asean Championship defeats.
In games against Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Myanmar, they were beaten 5-0, 4-0, 4-1 and 7-2, respectively. For context, in the same competition two years earlier, Laos drew twice, lost 3-2 to Myanmar, and went down 4-1 to eventual champions Vietnam.
In the 2026 edition, Viengxay Sydavon scored two own goals, while there were two straight red cards for Phetdavanh Somsanith, and another for Sayfon Keohanam. Keo Souvannasangsgo, the goalkeeper, was the subject of social media scrutiny after he appeared to withdraw his hands from the line of a goalbound shot in the Malaysia loss.
Open Questions
- What are the specific findings of the federation's investigation?
- Will Vladica Grujic remain as head coach?
