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The streak of keeping a clean sheet at the SEA Games opener began in 2013, when Vietnam started the tournament with a 7-0 victory over Brunei. Since then, the team have maintained a perfect defensive record in five consecutive opening matches: defeating Brunei (6-0 in 2015 and 6-0 in 2019), Timor-Leste (4-0 in 2017), Indonesia (3-0 in 2021) and Laos (2-0 in 2023).

That stellar run was broken at the Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday.

Vietnam took the lead in the 28th minute with Nguyen Dinh Bac’s goal. However, just five minutes later, a defensive lapse allowed Khampane Douangvilay to score from close range, equalizing for Laos and ending Vietnam’s SEA Games clean sheet streak on the opening day.

Before the 2013 tournament, Vietnam had gone through a period from 2001 to 2011 where they failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive openers.

The Wednesday match also marked only the second time since 2015 that Laos held Vietnam to a draw at halftime in the SEA Games. In 2015, coach Toshiya Miura’s squad struggled to break down the Laos defense until the 65th minute, eventually winning 1-0.

Historically, Vietnam have Laos in the SEA Games. Across 11 encounters, Vietnam have scored 37 goals and conceded just seven. Laos’ most prolific outing against Vietnam was a 2-8 defeat in 2005.

Under South Korean coach Ha Hyeok-jun, Laos showed significant improvement in fitness and tactical discipline. After the match, Ha expressed regret that his team could not hold on for a draw.

Laos now face a must-win scenario against Malaysia on Dec. 6 in their final group stage match. A loss will result in their elimination from the SEA Games 33.