The highly anticipated semi-finals of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 will get underway on Thursday as the competition enters its business end during the festive season.
Three former champions — Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam remain in contention to add to their trophy haul alongside the Philippines, who are set to compete in the semi-finals for the fifth time.
Singapore face Vietnam whilst the Philippines will take on Thailand over two legs to decide which two teams will reach the summit clash of the 15th edition of the tournament, with each nation set to bank on their key players to help them overcome their upcoming obstacles.
ASEAN United FC picks one player from each side who could prove to be the difference-maker for their respective teams.
Shawal Anuar (Singapore)
The current top scorer of the tournament with four goals, Shawal Anuar has been in red-hot form for Singapore in this tournament playing a major role in helping his nation return to the semi-finals, after failing to do so in the last edition.
The pacy forward opened his account with an early strike against Cambodia followed by two goals from close range in their win against Timor-Leste. However, his best was yet to come!
Against Thailand in the penultimate group stage matchday, Shawal opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike after an immaculate first touch to bring the ball down in a goal that the Lions fans will remember for a long time.
The 33-year-old had scored the winning goal against Myanmar two years ago in Singapore’s last ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ win at the Jalan Besar Stadium, with the Lions set to return to the iconic venue and will look up to Shawal to conjure up some more magic in the semi-finals.
Nguyen Xuan Son (Vietnam)
Nguyen Xuan Son is the name on everyone’s lips in Vietnam after his memorable debut for the national team in their final group phase match against Myanmar.
The 27-year-old became the first-ever naturalised player to score for the Vietnam men’s national team earning plaudits from media across Southeast Asia.
Son not only scored on his debut but ran the show at the Viet Tri Stadium, scoring two goals and providing two assists as he seamlessly transitioned into international football after his exploits at club level scoring 100 V.League 1 goals since arriving in 2020 and is also the league’s reigning Player of the Year.
The Nam Dinh FC forward has spoken about his pride of being able to represent the Vietnam national team, with the Golden Star Warriors receiving a major boost ahead of their crunch matches with Son seemingly set to play a defining role in the quest for their third ASEAN Championship title.
Sandro Reyes (Philippines)
It wouldn’t be wrong to call Sandro Reyes the brightest young talent in Filipino football. Still only 21, this is already his third ASEAN Championship appearance and the midfielder is living up to the billing this time.
Born in the city of Makati, Reyes is a product of Barcelona’s youth academy where he honed his skills after joining them at the age of nine. Currently on the books of German club FC Gutersloh, Reyes continues to strive in Europe in the hope of fulfilling his full potential.
For the national team, Reyes has displayed his versatility, excelling at the centre of midfield and even out wide, going on to net the crucial equaliser versus Laos with a calm and composed finish as he helped the Philippines claim a valuable point.
Having returned to the semi-finals for the first time since 2018, it marks a new era for Filipino football with Reyes the heartbeat of this team as he aims to continue to impress and create further history at the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024.
Suphanat Mueanta (Thailand)
Another youngster who has gone from a prodigy to his national team’s main man is Suphanat Mueanta, who is leading Thailand’s charge at this tournament in absence of their old guard.
In his first taste of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™, the 22-year-old has taken the competition by storm scoring three goals and providing four assists in just four appearances, which has earned him a hat-trick of Man of the Match awards — a truly remarkable return that puts him amongst the contenders to win this edition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade.
Suphanat recently returned to Thailand from Belgium and his performances this month will mean several suitors will circle for his signature. For now, though, his sole focus is helping the War Elephants claim an unprecedented hat-trick of titles.
The forward will have fresh memories of facing their semi-final opponents the Philippines, having been on target against them in a 3-1 win in the King’s Cup in October as the young sensation is set to be in the spotlight yet again.
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