The ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 is all set to become the perfect stage for some of Southeast Asia’s future superstars to showcase their talent to the footballing world.
From Thailand superstar Chanathip Songraksin to Vietnam maestro Nguyen Quang Hai and Indonesia starlet Marselino Ferdinan, the ASEAN Championship has always been a platform that has helped unearth some of ASEAN’s finest footballing prospects.
With the latest edition of the regional showpiece almost upon us, join ASEAN United FC as we look at five youngsters from teams in Group B who could go on to set the field alight in the coming weeks and you can vote now for your favourite at the foot of the article!
Nguyen Dinh Bac (Vietnam)
Big stage ✅
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) April 11, 2024
Big opponent ✅
Nguyen Dinh Bac’s next mission = #AFCU23 pic.twitter.com/LI2yb4uYPf
Still only 20 years old, Nguyen Dinh Bac was thrust into the limelight when he netted an equaliser against Japan in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. Though Vietnam went on to lose the game, the young striker looks set to have a promising career with the Golden Star Warriors.
Dinh Bac burst onto the scene by playing a key part in Quang Nam’s promotion to V.League 1 in 2023 before shining for them in his inaugural campaign in the Vietnamese top division too. In August, he earned a move to Công An Hà Nôi FC and made his debut in a 2-1 win against Thailand’s Buriram United in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™.
Philippe Troussier handed Dinh Bac his international debut in a friendly against China PR in October 2023, before he scored his maiden goal against the Philippines in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He was also the youngest player in their squad for the Asian Cup and will be again at the 15th ASEAN Championship.
Ronaldo Kwateh (Indonesia)
Ronaldo Kwateh became the youngest player to represent Indonesia when he made his debut along with Marselino Ferdinan against Timor-Leste in a friendly in 2022 at the age of 17 years 104 days.
Kwateh also became the youngest ever to play in the Indonesian top flight when he debuted for Madura United at the age of 16 before earning a move to Turkish second-division side Bodrum at the start of 2023. He has since then returned to Southeast Asia after signing for Thai League 1 side Muangthong United in August.
Almost three years since his last appearance for the Garuda, Kwateh now has the opportunity to prove his talent to Shin Tae-yong and the footballing world as he looks set to play a part in Indonesia’s search for a maiden silverware in the regional showpiece.
Zaw Win Thein (Myanmar)
A midfielder who is capable of unlocking opposition defences and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, Zaw Win Thein will hope to replicate his superb form for his club side Yangon United as Myanmar set their sights on a place in the knockout stages of the ASEAN Championship.
The 21-year-old from Dagon has guided Yangon to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Myanmar National League – scoring three goals and creating 10 assists last season – and made his debut for the senior national team under Antoine Hey at the age of 19.
All set to appear in his maiden ASEAN Championship, Zaw Min Thein will hope to make his mark on the tournament for a side managed by their legendary striker Myo Hlaing Win.
Damoth Thongkhamsavath (Laos)
At the age of 20, Damoth Thongkhamsavath is already a key cog in the Laos national team, having made his debut in a 3-2 friendly win against Brunei Darussalam in 2022 under Michael Weiss.
Damoth began his professional career with Champasak before signing for fellow Lao League 1 side Ezra in 2023. During the ongoing season of the Laotian top division, the young midfielder has not only been Ezra’s creative spark but has also developed an eye for goal, with four goals and three assists in six appearances.
Damoth, who is now a regular starter for the national team, played the full 90 minutes as they held ASEAN champions Thailand to a 1-1 draw in a friendly in the build-up to the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™.
Alex Monis (Philippines)
Looking to take a new-look Philippines side under Albert Capellas to the knockout stages of the ASEAN Championship will be 21-year-old Alex Monis, a former United States youth international who switched his allegiance to the Philippines and made his senior debut for the nation earlier this year.
Monis began his professional career with Chicago Fire and made three Major League Soccer appearances for the club before signing for MLS Next Pro side New England Revolution II earlier this year, going on to record eight goals and four assists in 24 matches for the side this year.
The youngster bagged an assist in a 3-2 defeat to Vietnam on his Philippines debut in June and a substitute appearance against Hong Kong, China last month was his seventh in a fledgling international career.
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