Wikipedia - Lalenok United F.C.
Lalenok United Football Club, commonly known as Lalenok United, is an East Timorese professional football club based in Dili. The team plays in the Liga Futebol Amadora Primeira Divisão, after finishing runners up and being promoted from the Segunda Divisão in 2018. The club have won 1 league titles and 1 LFA Super Taça.
History
In 2019 the team won the Primeira Divisão title, finishing the season with a total of 30 points from 14 matches, 5 points clear of previous champion Boavista.
In the same season the team also won the Taça 12 de Novembro and the LFA Super Taça, becoming the first Timorese team to ever win all three competitions. In 2020 Lalenok became the first East Timorese club to ever compete at the continental level
2020 AFC Cup qualification
After the team's victory in the 2019 LFA Primeira Divisão season Lalenok United became the first ever East Timorese club to compete at the continental competition. Drawn up against Indonesian Liga 1 side PSM Makassar for their first match, Lalenok United president Pedro Belo admitted that the team likely did not have a big chance for their debut in the competition. Belo recognised the strength of the opposition side, however had confidence that the squad would work hard in its attempts to represent football within Timor Leste and was proud of the international recognition the club had achieved from qualifying.
The first leg of the match was a home game for Lalenok, however it was played at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium rather than at the club's own stadium. Lalenok United got off to an early lead with a goal being scored by striker Daniel Adade in the second minute. PSM Makassar were quick to equalise, and later Indonesian side proceeded to score 4 goals, ending the game as a 1–4 loss for Lalenok United.
In the second leg the team suffered a similar result, losing the match 3–1. The team's only goal was scored by defender Francisco da Costa. This resulted in an aggregate score of 2–7, causing Lalenok United to be eliminated from the competition.
The name "Lalenok" means unity in the local Tetum language, reflecting the team's mission to bring together players from different backgrounds and regions of the country. The team's colors are red, black, and yellow, representing the national flag of Timor-Leste.
Lalenok United competes in international tournaments such as the AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they have shown great determination and skill despite being a relatively young team. The players are known for their passion, resilience, and teamwork on the field, making them a formidable opponent for any team they face.
Off the field, Lalenok United is actively involved in community outreach programs and youth development initiatives, using soccer as a tool to promote social cohesion and positive change in Timor-Leste. The team's success and dedication have earned them a loyal fan base and a reputation as ambassadors for their country on the global stage.