The knockout stages of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 will kick off on Thursday as Singapore host Vietnam in the first leg of their semi-final clash while reigning champions Thailand and the Philippines face off the following day.
While four nations remain in contention in the battle to decide the new champions of Southeast Asia, there is also a tight competition to decide who among the players will finish as the top scorer in the 15th edition of the regional showpiece and take home the prestigious Golden Boot.
ASEAN United FC takes a look at the players who could succeed the likes of Bambang Pamungkas, Teerasil Dangda, Safee Sali and Noh Alam Shah as the custodian of the coveted award.
Shawal Anuar (Singapore, four goals)
Shawal Anuar is the outright leader in the Golden Boot race having scored four goals so far in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™. The Singapore veteran has not only been prolific, but has also produced one of the best goals to be scored in the tournament's 28-year history in the 2024 edition.
The 33-year-old hit the winner in the Lions' 2-1 win against Cambodia in their opener before following it up with a double against Timor-Leste. His fourth goal of the regional showpiece was the best of the lot as he brilliantly brought down a long ball and planted a brilliant strike from distance past Patiwat Khammai in Thailand's goal on Matchday 4.
Patrik Gustavsson (Thailand, three goals)
Among a string of youngsters who have impressed for Thailand, Patrik Gustavsson netted in three consecutive matches for Masatada Ishii's side as the 23-year-old's stock continues to rise -- having scored and assisted a goal each on debut which was also his only previous international appearance before the tournament.
The Swedish-born striker is clinical in front of the goal with his sharp-shooting skills on full display in goals against Timor-Leste, Malaysia and Singapore. Thailand will want Gustavsson to be at the top of his game as the competition heats up in the semi-finals.
Suphanat Mueanta (Thailand, three goals)
No player has been involved in more goals in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ than 22-year-old Suphanat Mueanta, who not only has scored thrice for Thailand but also bagged four assists in only three starts for the defending champions in the group stage.
The young attacker has been named man of the match in three of Thailand's four outings so far – a testament to his influence on the War Elephants. Thailand will once again be pinning their hopes on Suphanat in the knockout stages to take them to a record-extending eighth title.
Teerasak Poeiphimai (Thailand, three goals)
Though not a regular starter for Thailand in the competition, 22-year-old Teerasak Poeiphimai has grabbed the recent opportunities he has been handed by head coach Masatada Ishii with both hands, scoring thrice for the War Elephants.
Teerasak came off the bench to net twice as the Thais posted a commanding 10-0 victory against Timor-Leste on Matchday 1 and then grabbed another goal to seal his side's 4-2 comeback win against Singapore, which confirmed their berth in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Bjorn Kristensen (Philippines, two goals)
Both of Bjorn Kristensen's goals in the group stage of the tournament have come from the penalty spot and have proved to be crucial for the Philippines as they held Myanmar 1-1 in their opener before beating Indonesia 1-0 to progress to the knockout stage at the expense of the Garuda.
Kristensen, who only made his international debut in September, already has four goals in nine appearances for the Philippines and will be hoping to hit the target more as his side hunt for their maiden ASEAN Championship title.
Nguyen Tien Linh (Vietnam, two goals)
Nguyen Tien Linh shared the Golden Boot with Teerasil Dangda in 2022 with six goals as Vietnam finished runners-up and the prolific striker will be eyeing to claim the award for himself at the ongoing tournament after already bagging two goals in the group stage.
Tien Linh opened his account against Laos in their opener while coming off the bench to seal their 5-0 win against Myanmar on the fifth matchday. The 27-year-old has also bagged two assists in the regional showpiece so far for Kim Sang-sik’s side.
Faris Ramli (Singapore, two goals)
Along with Shawal Anuar, Faris Ramli has been among the goals for a Singapore side, who will look to get past Vietnam in the semi-finals in their bid to win a first ASEAN title since 2012 and their fifth overall.
The 32-year-old winger scored in his fourth consecutive ASEAN Championship edition when he found the back of the net in a 2-1 win against Cambodia in their opener in Kallang before adding a second goal in the tournament in their 4-2 defeat to Thailand on Matchday 4.
Nguyen Xuan Son (Vietnam, two goals)
Vietnam have looked heavy favourites for the title this season and their hopes of a third ASEAN Championship triumph were further boosted by a swashbuckling debut from 27-year-old Nguyen Xuan Son in their final group fixture at Viet Tri Stadium.
The Brazilian-born striker bagged two goals and two assists on his international debut in the 5-0 win against Myanmar and if he can put in more of the same in the knockout stages, it will be only a matter of time before he is in contention for the Golden Boot.
Share now
