Ezra F.C.

Ezra
Full nameEzra Association Football Club
Short nameEAFC
Founded2003 (2003)
GroundNew Laos National Stadium
Capacity25,000
OwnerArun Kim
Head coachByung Soo Na
LeagueLao League 1
2024–25Lao League 1, 1st of 8 (champions)

Ezra Association Football Club is a professional football club located in Vientiane, Laos. It plays in the Lao League 1.[1] In the 2024–25 season, Ezra won its first Lao League 1 title.[2]

History

Ezra Football Club was established in 2003 by Arun Kim, a South Korean coach and missionary. Operating primarily as a youth academy with a humanitarian focus, the club provided free training, housing, and education to underprivileged Laotian players, modeled on the South Korean youth development system.[3]

Throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, Ezra became a prolific "production line" for the Laos national football team, frequently prioritizing the development and transfer of young players to the Thai League 1 over domestic trophy pursuits.[4] Despite intermittent absences from the top flight to focus on its academy roots, the club maintained a competitive presence in the Lao League 1.

The club's most significant achievement occurred during the 2024–25 season. Under the management of Byung Soo Na, Ezra secured its first top-flight title on 26 February 2025. By finishing at the top of the table, Ezra ended the multi-year dominance of Young Elephants FC and earned its debut qualification for the 2025–26 ASEAN Club Championship and regional AFC competitions.

Players

As of 15 August 2025[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  LAO Kop Lokphathip
4 DF  LAO Anantaza Siphongphan
5 DF  LAO Xeedee Pomsavanh
6 DF  LAO Salermsay Phommavong
7 FW  LAO Peter Phanthavong
8 MF  JPN Yusei Shimomura
9 FW  JPN Koki Narita
10 FW  LAO Chony Wenpaserth
11 FW  THA Thanprakorn Khemrut
12 GK  LAO Souksakhone Kiliya
14 MF  JPN Reo Nakamura
16 MF  LAO Xaysana Xihalath
17 GK  KOR Lee Min-hyuk
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF  LAO Phathana Phommathep
21 MF  LAO Phouthalak Thongsanith
22 MF  LAO Phoutthasay Khochalern (Captain)
23 FW  JPN Ren Yoshioka
24 DF  LAO Phetdavanh Somsanid
26 DF  LAO Oun Phetvongsa
27 MF  LAO Binly Donsanouphit
30 DF  LAO Xayasouk Keovisone
31 DF  LAO Khammanh Thapaseut
33 FW  LAO Thanousack Nanthavongdouangsy
36 MF  LAO Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone
87 MF  KOR Jeong Sang-won

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF  LAO Phoutthavong Sangvilay (at Thailand BG Pathum United)

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach South Korea Byung-soo Na
Assistant coach South Korea Kim Ban-seok
South Korea Jung Keum-cheon
Laos Chandalaphone Liepvisay
Goalkeeper coach Laos Sounikone Souphusith
Fitness coach Laos Xaiyaphet Somphengboupha
Match analyst Laos Khamfong Vansavath
Doctor Laos Sonexay Kounlavong
Physiotherapists South Korea Kim Jae-yang
Interpreter South Korea Mideum Kim


Continental record

Year Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
2025–26 AFC Challenge League Qualifying play-off Myanmar Yangon United N/a 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p)
N/a
Group D Philippines Manila Digger 1–3 4th out of 4
Cambodia Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng 0–3
Mongolia SP Falcons 1–3
ASEAN Club Championship Qualifying play-off Myanmar Shan United 1–2 0–1 1–3

References

  1. ^ Laos 2012 from RSSSF.com
  2. ^ "First Lao League 1 title for Ezra FC". aseanfootball.org. 26 February 2025.
  3. ^ Stokkermans, Karel. "Laos - List of Foundation Dates". RSSSF. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  4. ^ Murphy, Paul (20 October 2022). "The Korean coach building a football factory in Laos". ESPN. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  5. ^ "ເອສະຣາພ້ອມໄລ່ລ້າ ແຊ້ມ ເປບຊີ ລາວລີກ 1 ລະດູການ 2024/2025". Lao League 1. Retrieved 2024-09-07.