VIENTIANE, Laos (Interstat) — Young Elephant opened its Lao League season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Champasak Avenir FC on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Lao National Stadium. The home side defied a pregame statistical projection of a 1-1 draw, instead delivering a comprehensive performance. Phoutdavy Phommasane opened the scoring with a header in the 21st minute. Anousone Xaypanya doubled the lead before halftime with a 36th-minute free kick. Tsukasa Shimomura sealed the win with a right-footed strike in the 88th minute. Champasak Avenir FC was held scoreless. The result gives Young Elephant a winning start to the domestic campaign, while Champasak Avenir FC begins with a loss.