Southeast Asia

AFF Cup Players to Watch – Attackers

By: , November 6, 2018 8:34 pm
Nguyen Anh Duc Credit – Football Tribe Vietnam

For the final category of our players to watch series, we take a look at the players who could be scoring crucial goals for their respective nations. Here are the best attackers to keep your eye on at the fast-approaching AFF Cup 2018.

Thailand

Chananan Pombuppha

Position: Striker/Left Winger

Age: 26

Current Club: Suphanburi FC

Background: Chananan, commonly known as ‘Two’ was the product of Muangthong United's youth system and played a backup role for The Kirin’s 2009 Thai league title-winning side. However, it would be his time Osotspa under experience coach head Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok that Chananan really came into his own. He was getting consistent game time, which is rare for local strikers, and bagging a reasonable amount of goals for a young prospect. A key figure in Kiatisuk "Zico" Senamuang early national team days, Chananan would go on to win 2 SEA Games gold medals in 2013 and 2015. Chananan earned a move back to his boyhood club but the limited playing time caused a drop in form and he now plies his trade at Suphanburi.

Playing Style: The 26 years old is a true 'poacher' type of striker. He likes to stand on the last line of defence, using his pace and movement to get into the space behind. Interestingly, Chananan has recently reinvented himself as a second striker and left winger which seem to be working wonders, judging from his last 6 goals in the final 10 league games of the season. He was rewarded by Milovan Ravejac with a call-up, and impressed down the left side in Thailand's victories over Hong Kong and Trinidad and Tobago.

Obb Deewajin

Indonesia

Beto Goncalves

Position: Striker

Age: 37

Current Club: Sriwijaya FC

Background: Known for his good finishing, positioning, and dribbling, Beto has been one of the best strikers in Indonesia League since his arrival at 2008. He has scored more than 100 goals during his career here, starring for many big clubs such as Persipura Jayapura, Arema Cronus, and now Sriwiijaya FC.

Playing Style: Beto is an agile and fast-paced and player. Despite being 37 years old, he still has plenty of speed and energy, and can rely the experience of being a prolific goalscorer in the last 10 years. His record shows that it is best that his opponents keep an eye on him.

Aditya Jaya Iswara

Vietnam

Nguyen Anh Duc

Position: Striker

Age: 33

Current Club: Becamex Binh Duong

Background: Anh Duc is the oldest Vietnamese player at the tournament. He was furst selected to the national team in 2006, and is the most experienced member of the squad. He also scored over 200 goals throughout his lengthy career in the Vietnamese domestic league.

Playing Style: Likely to be the main option up front in a Vietnamese side that is considered to be amongst the tournament favourites, Nguyen Anh Duc will certainly have the chance to make his mark in the race for the Golden Boot. His positional awareness and touch in front of goal compensate for his advanced age and will allow him to capitalize on the creativity of his side's midfield.

Tran Tien

Malaysia

Safawi Rasid

Position: Striker/Winger/Attacking Midfielder

Age: 21

Current Club: Johor Daul Ta'zim

Background: This season Most Valuable Player, Best Midfielder and Most Promising Player awards winner Safawi Rasid born on east coast of Malaysia, in a big state call Terengganu. At the age of 15 years old, he joined Dungun T-Team FC Academy, playing as a central midfielder and often scored from long-range goals with his left-foot. His coach at that time once stated that he had to go to Safawi's home to force him to go training because he believed that the youngster had a bright future ahead. When he turned 16, he moved to Bukit Nenas Sport School to improve his football skills, 66 kilometres away from home. He moved to JDT in 2016 and on the 7th of February 2017, he featured in the 2017 AFC Champions League Qualifying play-offs against Gamba Osaka, which his side lost 0-3. Since then, he has established himself as a key figure for his club and one of the brightest prospects in the country.

Playing Style: Safawi can play as either a forward or as a winger. He offers more threat as a front man, and together with Akhyar Rasid, the young pair will be expected to generate more goals and points. His speed, athleticism and unpredictable movement also make him difficult for opponents to contain.

Aiman Nazirmuddin