It’s been a week of celebrations in the Lao capital for Lao New Year and the home side was aiming to keep the celebrations going as they looked to end their 12-match winless run in the AFC Cup, a streak that dates back to 2016.
The celebrations continued early when the home side took a surprise lead, with Rafael heading home from Saison Khounsamnan’s corner in the 11th minute to give hope to Jun Fukuda and his team.
The visitors’ reply, however, was almost instant with Song, making his first appearance in this year’s AFC Cup having recovered from injury, heading home from Izzdin Shafiq’s free-kick just four minutes later.
The Korea Republic midfielder was a constant threat throughout the half, showing what Home United had been missing so far this campaign.
The 29-year-old had a long range effort go wide after 36 minutes before being presented with a glorious chance to secure his brace when the referee pointed to the spot for a foul on Faritz Hameed by Bounphithak Chanthalangsy.
With five minutes remaining in the half, Song stepped forward to fire Home United into a 2-1 lead.
With the lead in their pocket, Home United were content to sit back more in the second half but their task was made harder when Aqhari Abdullah picked up two yellow cards in the space of four minutes and receiving his marching orders with still more than 20 minutes remaining in the match.
That provided the spark the home side needed and after Saison Khounsamnan missed an easy chance after being found unmarked at the back post, however, the Lao champions found their equaliser when captain Kazuo Homma converted from the spot after Faritz fouled Rafael in the penalty box.
Suddenly the home side had hope of securing a drought-breaking victory, but their hearts were broken in the final minute of regulation time when Song turned provider, with an exquisite pirouette giving him the space to set the ball up for Hafiz Nor who finished neatly from the edge of the area to secure the win for the Singaporeans.
That win takes them second in Group H, behind PSM Makassar by just a point, and it is the Indonesians that Home United will face in Indonesia in their next match. Lao Toyota, out of the running now for a place in the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals, face a trip to the Philippines to take on Kaya FC-Iloilo.
