The ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 got off to a thrilling start with all four group stage fixtures in the opening round producing some spectacular displays that set the tone for what promises to be a captivating competition.
In Group A, Thailand made their title credentials clear with a commanding 10-0 win over Timor-Leste while Cambodia held Malaysia to a 2-2 draw in Phnom Penh. Meanwhile, in Group B, Indonesia claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win against Myanmar and Vietnam made a winning start against Laos.
There were a bunch of players who delivered standout performances and ASEAN United FC takes a look at four of them who made the biggest impact for their teams and lets you decide who deserves to be the Player of Round 1 by voting below.
Suphanat Mueanta (Thailand)
Donning the number 10 jersey for the War Elephants, Suphanat Mueanta proved against Timor-Leste why he is tipped as the one who could guide Thailand to their third consecutive ASEAN Championship title come 5 January.
The 22-year-old left Hang Day Stadium after bagging two goals and creating two assists as Thailand scored 10 past Timor-Leste. There was a bit of fortune in Suphanat’s first goal as he capitalised on a goalkeeping error in the 28th minute and then he selflessly squared the ball for Benjamin Davis to score four minutes later.
His second came courtesy of a smart first-time finish in the second half before he set up Teerasak Poeiphimai for Thailand’s eighth later. It was a five-star display from Suphanat which will give the Thai fans plenty of confidence as their team search for an eighth title with a young squad.
Kim Sokyuth (Cambodia)
Kim Sokyuth was Cambodia’s standout star as they held title contenders Malaysia to a 2-2 draw at National Olympic Stadium in their opener, showing that they are at the tournament not to just make up numbers, but to compete for a place in the knockout stage.
Most of Cambodia’s attacks came through Sokyuth along the left-hand side, especially in the second half when they twice breached the Malaysian defence. The 25-year-old impressed with his skills on the ball and creating chances for his teammates, becoming the architect of Cambodia’s opening goal seven minutes into the second half.
Latching onto a pass from Orn Chanpolin, Sokyuth drove forward with the ball before opening up to shoot from inside the box but instead laid the ball onto Abdel Kader Coulibaly for an easy finish to make it 1-1.
Nguyen Tien Linh (Vietnam)
Nguyen Tien Linh shared the Golden Boot with Thailand’s Teerasil Dangda with six goals as Vietnam finished as runners-up in the 2022 ASEAN Championship. And the 27-year-old will hope to have a similar impact this time around after a bright start against Laos in their 4-1 victory.
Kim Sang-sik’s side had failed to find much joy in front of goal against the hosts at National Stadium KM16 and took until the 58th minute to break the deadlock through Nguyen Hai Long. But it was Tien Linh who settled their nerves with a finish into the bottom corner seven minutes later to double their advantage.
With a heavyweight clash against Indonesia at Viet Tri Stadium coming up next for them on 15 December, Vietnam will need Tien Linh to be at his best as the Vietnamese look to go one step further this time and secure a third ASEAN Championship title.
Dony Tri Pamungkas (Indonesia)
Dony Tri Pamungkas will remember Indonesia’s 1-0 win against Myanmar in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ for a long time as the left-sided centre-back capped off his international debut with a man-of-the-match performance in the Gardua’s defence – all at the age of just 19.
The Persija Jakarta youngster was deployed in the three-man defence by Shin Tae-yong, but Myanmar proved to be a difficult opponent for a young Indonesia side at Thuwunna Stadium in their opener, and it needed a solid display from Dony for the visitors to secure the three points in Yangon.
Having already helped Indonesia win the ASEAN U-19 Championship earlier this year, the teenager will hope to continue to impress as the Garuda hunt for their first-ever ASEAN Championship title.
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