Substitute Phoutthavong Sangvilay emerged the hero in the match at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium after converting a penalty kick in the 68th minute.

The result saw Laos collect 12 points from four games to confirm their progress to the semifinals as the group champions while the Harimau Muda squad led by Hassan Sazali Waras had to be content to advance to the knockout round as the runners-up with 7 points.

“I hope we will bounce back in the semifinals. While we worked hard to achieve victory today, we know our mistake is in not being able to convert the chances created.

“I think we fully controlled the game in the last 15 to 20 minutes but we did not use the opportunity well,” said Hassan Sazali in an audio clip shared with the media.

The Harimau Muda will now face Group A champions Vietnam in the semifinal scheduled to take place on Wednesday, while Laos will face Thailand who emerged runners-up of Group A.

“Vietnam in terms of their ball play are quite good but we should not give the opportunity and space to their players…. We only have one day (of rest before the semifinal) and hope that all players can get enough rest,” he said.

The national U-19 squad has done well in the last three editions of the AFF Championships, winning it in 2018, and emerging runners-up in 2017 and 2019.

The competition was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.