Southeast Asia

2018 AFF Cup – Top 5 Best Players

By: , December 20, 2018 4:09 pm
Credit – bongdaplus.vn

Join us as we look back at the five players who impressed the most during the 2018 AFF Cup:

1 - Nguyen Quang Hai

There is little surprise that the 21-year-old Vietnamese midfielder has come out on top of almost all the rankings after this tournament. Nguyen Quang Hai made the step up almost seamlessly, following up an incredibly successful domestic season with an even better showing for his country. Despite his youth, the midfielder seemed to be unfazed by the prospect of being his nation's talisman, demonstrating a mental fortitude that perfectly complements his already established technical brilliance. Quang Hai has staked his claim as one of the best South-East Asian prospects for the future, and, based on his performance at this tournament, he could be a brightly shining light for not only his country, but the entire region, for years to come.

5 - Sanrawat Dechmitr

Despite already being at the advanced age of 29, Sanrawat Dechmitr has never truly announced himself as a star player for Thailand, However, starting from the opening day against East Timor, the Thai midfielder looked determined to turn this tournament into a personally memorable one. At times, he was in a class of his own, stringing passes together effortlessly and providing a rare and necessary creative spark in an otherwise unimaginative Thai team.

4 - Nguyen Anh Duc

Vietnam's veteran striker played a key role in helping his side to their remarkable triumph. Despite being a 23 year old senior international at the time, Anh Duc missed out on Vietnam's 2008 AFF Squad. One decade on, being the oldest member of the squad, the veteran striker played a critical role in repeating the Golden Dragons' feat. His four goals, including the only strike in the second leg of the final, ensured that his name would be written down in the history books of Vietnamese football.

3 - Tran Dinh Trong

Vietnam went through the entire group stage of the tournament without conceding a single goal, which was largely due to the presence of Tran Dinh Trong. Despite being only 21 years old, he cut a towering figure in the back line and helped lead his side to victory.

2 - Syahmi Safari

In a Malaysia squad full of exciting young talents perfectly geared up for Tan Cheng Hoe’s possession based football, not much of the spotlight was put on Syahmi Safari before the start of the AFF Cup. However, his rampaging runs forward from right-back quickly earned him the attention of the entire region, shining the brightest out of Harimau Malaya’s crop of starlets. His goal against Thailand would be the icing on top what an already excellent campaign.

1 - Nguyen Quang Hai

There is little surprise that the 21-year-old Vietnamese midfielder has come out on top of almost all the rankings after this tournament. Nguyen Quang Hai made the step up almost seamlessly, following up an incredibly successful domestic season with an even better showing for his country. Despite his youth, the midfielder seemed to be unfazed by the prospect of being his nation's talisman, demonstrating a mental fortitude that perfectly complements his already established technical brilliance. Quang Hai has staked his claim as one of the best South-East Asian prospects for the future, and, based on his performance at this tournament, he could be a brightly shining light for not only his country, but the entire region, for years to come.

5 - Sanrawat Dechmitr

Despite already being at the advanced age of 29, Sanrawat Dechmitr has never truly announced himself as a star player for Thailand, However, starting from the opening day against East Timor, the Thai midfielder looked determined to turn this tournament into a personally memorable one. At times, he was in a class of his own, stringing passes together effortlessly and providing a rare and necessary creative spark in an otherwise unimaginative Thai team.

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