Southeast Asia

SEA Best XI of the Week – 2nd April 2019

By: , April 2, 2019 6:39 pm
Credit – @swatcatofficial

See who made our list of the best eleven performers over the weekend in Southeast Asian domestic football:

Goalkeeper

Name: Michael Falkesgaard

Age: 27

Nationality: Philippines

Club: Bangkok United

Falkesgaard pulled off many incredible saves to help The Angels to a hard-earned draw away against Nakhon Ratchasima. The keeper showed great composure when he saved Leandro Assumpção's penalty late in the first half. Falkesgaard also put his amazing reflexes to good use on the hour mark when he pushed Amadou Ouattara's powerful shot away with one hand.

Defender

Name: Vu Huu Quy

Age: 26

Nationality: Vietnam

Club: Ha Tinh FC

The defender was solid at the back to stop Hue FC's strikers from scoring a goal. He also proved to be a threat in the air from set pieces. He came close to scoring a header, which was saved by the Hue FC goalkeeper. He was the key man as his side progressed to the next round of the National Cup.

Defender

Name: Chalermpong Kerdkaew

Age: 32

Nationality: Thailand

Club: Nakhon Ratchasima FC

Getting excluded from the national team might not have been the worst thing for the 32-year-old defender, as it kept him fresh and ready to face title-challenger Bangkok United. Chalermpongs' organization and calmness to hold a deep defensive line help The Swatcat earn a valuable home draw.

Defender

Name: Pawee Tanthatemee

Age: 22

Nationality: Thailand

Club: Ratchaburi FC

The Thai Youth International put in a strong performance, keeping a clean sheet at home to beat Muangthong United 2-0. Pawee marked the opposition striker out if the game and his physicality was key in canceling out the visitor's crosses.

Right Midfielder

Name: Safawi Rasid

Age: 22

Nationality: Malaysia

Club: Johor Darul Ta'zim

Safawi Rasid has shown time and time again that he is a genius when it comes to free kicks. In the match against Kedah, Safawi once again had the chance to net from a dead-ball situation. From what looked like an unfavorable position, Safawi managed to nail the technique and find the back of the net.

Central Midfielder

Name: Ngo Hoang Thinh

Age: 27

Nationality: Vietnam

Club: Ho Chi Minh City

The midfielder was the key for Ho Chi Minh City's win 2-1 over Pho Hien FC, registering both a goal and an assist to help his side pick up all three points.

Central Midfielder

Name: Hajime Hosogai

Age: 32

Nationality: Japan

Club: Buriram United

The Ex-Japanese international was simply on a different level to everyone else on the pitch in Buriram's match against Samut Prakan City. Hosogai roams around with ease, dictating his side's tempo with his wide range of passes. Admittedly, he did struggle towards the end of the match but that still wasn't enough to discredit how good he was overall.

Left Midfielder

Name: Faiz Nasir

Age: 26

Nationality: Malaysia

Club: Selangor FC

Selangor managed to win all three points as Faiz Nasir scored the only goal of the match. Against his former team, the young striker was not nervous and showed he was up for the task was not nervous. His excellent contribution follows another achievement, as he recently scored on his debut for the national team.

Attacking Midfielder

Name: Bruno Matos

Age: 28

Nationality: Brazil

Club: Persija Jakarta

Despite Persija's elimination from the 2019 Piala Presiden, Matos hit an equalizer for his side against Kalteng Putra in order to become the tournament's top scorer with five goals.  Macan Kemayoran may have even progressed if he had put away his penalty in the shootout.

Attacking Midfielder

Name: Phu Trung Phong

Age: 21

Nationality: Vietnam

Club: Binh Phuoc

The young midfielder scored a double for his team in their match against Can Tho FC. The match ended as a 2-2 draw, and his team advanced on penalties with a nailbiting 8-7 scoreline.

Striker

Name: Fernando Rodriguez

Age: 31

Nationality: Spain

Club: Kedah FA

Fernando Rodriguez emerged as the hero of Kedah when he scored the equalizing goal in the match against JDT. His smartly-placed header was crucial for the hosts and pegged back the visitors' advance by denying them the chance to return to the top of the table.