After a series of defeats to Vietnam, the South Korean coach has been officially dismissed.

The Lao Football Federation unexpectedly announced the termination of the contract with the South Korean coach, Ha Hyeok Jun.

On the evening of January 2nd, the official fanpage of the Lao Football Federation released a statement: "We thank coach Ha Hyeok Jun for serving as the head coach of both the Laos national team and the Laos U23 team. During his 1 year and 4 months with the national team, he shared his experience, knowledge, and skills with Lao coaches and players, inspiring and motivating them to maintain their passion for self-development.

On behalf of the Lao Football Federation and Lao fans, we wish coach Ha Hyeok Jun good health, happiness in life and family, success in all his endeavors, and good luck in his future career."

Throughout his tenure leading various levels of the Elephant Country’s teams, strategist Ha Hyeok Jun encountered Vietnamese football multiple times. At the national team level, Laos under his leadership faced Vietnam four times during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers and the AFF Cup.

Despite efforts, the Laos team suffered defeats in all four matches. Similarly, at the U23 level, the Korean coach also faced Vietnam U23 three times, with victories still going to the squad led by coach Kim Sang Sik.However, experts still praised the resilience and playing style of the Lao players in these encounters.

Since taking the position in August 2024, coach Ha Hyeok Jun brought a fresh spirit to Lao football. Over his 1 year and 4 months in charge, the Korean strategist made a strong impression by applying modern training programs, emphasizing discipline and scientific methods. These factors completely changed the tactical mindset and fighting spirit of the Lao players, helping them shed the image of a regional underdog.

The remarkable progress in the team’s composure and tactical organization was clearly reflected in actual results on the field. Most notably, a dramatic 1-1 draw against the powerhouse Thailand just before the AFF Cup 2024. Not stopping there, coach Ha Hyeok Jun’s team caused a sensation at the Southeast Asian championship by holding Indonesia to a 2-2 draw on their home ground, confirming their impressive improvement in both fitness and competitive spirit.