Southeast Asia

AFF Cup 2018 Best Eliminated XI

By: , November 29, 2018 9:49 pm
Hliang Bo Bo (Myanmar) Credit – affsuzukicup.com

These players may have been eliminated from the competition, but they played a key role in helping their respective nations and left their mark on their tournament. Today, we look at the best eleven players who weren’t quite able to progress to the knockout stages.

Goalkeeper

Name: Andritany Ardhiyasa

Age: 26

Nationality: Indonesia

Andritany showed his great ability in the Garuda's goal, demonstrating especially good reflexes. He was even praised by Sven-Goran Eriksson because he blocked all of the Philippines' shots on target.

Defender

Name: Hong Peng

Age: 29

Nationality: Cambodia

Hong was the leader of the Cambodian defense. He formed a formidable partnership with Soeuy Visal, and his nation's back-line looked more solid than ever.

Defender

Name: Safuwan Baharudin

Age: 27

Nationality: Singapore

The Pahang FA defender was a crucial organizer and calming influence at the back, and even managed to bag a hattrick of his own in the game against Timor Leste.

Defender

Name: Fachrudin Aryanto

Age: 29

Nationality: Indonesia

He came from the bench in the first match against Singapore, and got the attention of coach Bima Sakti. He looked like a reef rock in Indonesia's defensive line and showed his excellent aerial ability.

Defender

Name: Thein Than Win

Age: 27

Nationality: Myanmar

Despite being a defender, Than Win was able to create dangerous attacking situations with his speed on the flanks. Myanmar faced some troubles when he was missing in the match against Vietnam due to suspension, and he managed to register 2 assists.

Midfielder

Name: Hariss Harun

Age: 28

Nationality: Singapore

Singapore captain Hariss Harun was central to coach Fandi Ahmad's game plan, as his intelligence and energy underpinned the robust system and stabilised the midfield as Singapore mounted a genuine challenge for a place in the knockout stages.

Midfielder

Name: Evan Dimas Darmono

Age: 23

Nationality: Indonesia

Evan Dimas the one and only Indonesian player who played in full 90 minutes in all four of Indonesia's group stage games. He show his capability as the general in the Garuda's midfield area. He was also Indonesia's highest passer of the tournament. .

Midfielder

Name: Hlaing Bo Bo

Age: 22

Nationality: Myanmar

Easily the most important player in Myanmar's midfield, Hliang Bo Bo scored a brace against Cambodia and made excellent contributions across the board for his nation.

Forward

Name: Riko Simanjuntak

Age: 26

Nationality: Indonesia

He was not the first choice in Bima Sakti's plan for the tournament, but after 45 excellent minutes against Singapore, everything changed. Riko and Andik proved themselves to be explosive wingers with their pace and acceleration. He also looked great with his passing and dribbling skills.

Forward

Name: Rufino Gama

Age: 20

Nationality: Timor-Leste

Despite playing in a weak side, the young striker netted twice, and made history by becoming the first Timor-Leste player to score against Indonesia, the country which they ceded from.

Forward

Name: Chan Vathanaka

Age: 24

Nationality: Cambodia

The striker was full of tricks and was a talisman for his side, as evidenced by his crucial goal against Laos.