Image Credit: JL/Getty Images for DAZN, kknews.cc, Football Tribe Vietnam
Chanathip Songkrasin (Thai/Left-midfielder/Consadole Sapporo)
After months of hype, the Thai national team star’s debut for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo was perhaps the strongest yet by a Southeast Asian player in Japan after he played the entire second half of the team’s Levain Cup loss to Cerezo Osaka before earning a start in their brilliant 2-0 J1 win against Urawa Reds.
Despite his short stature, Chanathip electrified the Sapporo Dome crowd with his energetic runs, skillful dribbling, and assertive chance-making. While he still has much to do to adapt to the club’s defensive style of play, the 23-year-old clearly has the confidence of manager Shuhei Yomoda.