AFC Asian Cup
After Qatar’s win over Jordan in the final saw the Maroons defend their title, the-AFC.com now looks back on the tournament and asks you, the fans, to determine the standout NEOM Future Star of the Tournament.
We’ve selected 10 nominees who delivered eye-catching performances throughout the AFC Asian Cup, so review the list and don’t forget to vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the bottom of the article.
We’ve selected 10 nominees who delivered eye-catching performances throughout the AFC Asian Cup, so review the list and don’t forget to vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the bottom of the article.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Uzbekistan)
Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s stock continues to rise after another standout display for Uzbekistan in an AFC national team competition, following on from his AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023-winning exploits last year where he was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s stock continues to rise after another standout display for Uzbekistan in an AFC national team competition, following on from his AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023-winning exploits last year where he was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.
His performances led to a call-up to the senior national team later in 2023, and with star forward Eldor Shomurodov injured, the 20-year-old stepped up in front of goal, scoring against India and Thailand before a quarter-final penalty shootout elimination to Qatar.
Ali Jasim (Iraq)
Ali Jasim has been among the most talked-about players in Asia in recent months after scoring four goals in five games for Air Force Club in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24, with his tricky play and direct running causing defences plenty of problems.
Ali Jasim has been among the most talked-about players in Asia in recent months after scoring four goals in five games for Air Force Club in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24, with his tricky play and direct running causing defences plenty of problems.
With the likes of Aymen Hussein and Mohanad Ali in the Iraq side, Jasim took on a more creative role in the AFC Asian Cup, registering a joint-tournament-high three assists, and the 20-year-old can now look forward to a bright future at both club and international level.
Lee Kang-in (Korea Republic)
Korea Republic’s young sensation Lee Kang-in is already starring in Europe for his club Paris Saint-Germain and the 22-year-old attacking midfielder is starting to hit those heights for the national team in a star-studded Korea Republic squad.
Korea Republic’s young sensation Lee Kang-in is already starring in Europe for his club Paris Saint-Germain and the 22-year-old attacking midfielder is starting to hit those heights for the national team in a star-studded Korea Republic squad.
The Incheon native delivered big moments at the AFC Asian Cup, scoring a match-winning double against Bahrain in their opener before netting a delightful free-kick against Malaysia. He also created a tournament-high 19 chances and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Ali Olwan (Jordan)
Hussein Ammouta’s Jordan had impressive performers all over the pitch and in Ali Olwan they had a youngster who could provide the spark when needed. His dribbling in tight spaces caused numerous problems for defenders, as shown by his tally of 17 successful dribbles.
Hussein Ammouta’s Jordan had impressive performers all over the pitch and in Ali Olwan they had a youngster who could provide the spark when needed. His dribbling in tight spaces caused numerous problems for defenders, as shown by his tally of 17 successful dribbles.
Olwan, who plies his trade for Al Shamal in the Qatar Stars League, found himself in familiar surroundings and, after a qualification campaign where he scored against Nepal and Kuwait, the 23-year-old displayed what he is all about to a wider audience over the last 30 days.
Takefusa Kubo (Japan)
Highly regarded in his native Japan and in Spain, Takefusa Kubo once again showed his immense potential in a major tournament with the Samurai Blue as the talented 22-year-old made his first appearance at the AFC Asian Cup.
Highly regarded in his native Japan and in Spain, Takefusa Kubo once again showed his immense potential in a major tournament with the Samurai Blue as the talented 22-year-old made his first appearance at the AFC Asian Cup.
Kubo laid on an assist for Ayase Ueda against Vietnam in their Group D opener before a clinical first-time finish in their Round of 16 clash against Bahrain as the Real Sociedad winger continued his steady rise in both national and club team colours.
Jordan Bos (Australia)
Generally a left-back, Graham Arnold played Jordan Bos in a more advanced position at the AFC Asian Cup and he made an immediate impact by scoring just minutes after coming on as a substitute against India in their opening Group B encounter.
Generally a left-back, Graham Arnold played Jordan Bos in a more advanced position at the AFC Asian Cup and he made an immediate impact by scoring just minutes after coming on as a substitute against India in their opening Group B encounter.
It was Bos’s maiden international goal for the Socceroos and he went on to start his side’s next three games at the continental competition. Having already secured a move to Belgium, the 21-year-old could well become one of the biggest stars for Australia in the coming years.
Abdullah Radif (Saudi Arabia)
After lifting the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022, Abdullah Radif has gradually forced his way into the senior national team set-up and has shone under the guidance of Italian tactician Roberto Mancini.
After lifting the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022, Abdullah Radif has gradually forced his way into the senior national team set-up and has shone under the guidance of Italian tactician Roberto Mancini.
Radif scored a brilliant opening goal against Korea Republic in the Round of 16 when he shrugged off the attentions of the Korean backline before slotting the ball past the keeper, and he will now hope that his moment in the spotlight will spur him on to even greater heights.
Marselino Ferdinan (Indonesia)
Team Garuda’s teenage sensation lit up the AFC Asian Cup when he scored the equaliser against Iraq in the group stage while he also clipped the crossbar as the 19-year-old delivered a glimpse of what he is capable of.
Team Garuda’s teenage sensation lit up the AFC Asian Cup when he scored the equaliser against Iraq in the group stage while he also clipped the crossbar as the 19-year-old delivered a glimpse of what he is capable of.
The AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Young Player of the Tournament in 2022, Ferdinan is already playing in Belgium and, going by his recent performances for Indonesia, fans back home will have plenty to be excited about the Persebaya Surabaya youth product.
Sultan Adil (United Arab Emirates)
Two matches are all it needed for Sultan Adil to deliver an impact in the AFC Asian Cup for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he started and scored in group stage matches against Hong Kong, China and Palestine before suffering an unfortunate knee injury that ended his tournament.
Two matches are all it needed for Sultan Adil to deliver an impact in the AFC Asian Cup for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he started and scored in group stage matches against Hong Kong, China and Palestine before suffering an unfortunate knee injury that ended his tournament.
Head coach Paulo Bento put his trust in the 19-year-old forward over the talismanic figure of Ali Mabkhout, and Adil showed that he could well be an able successor to the UAE’s all-time top-scorer if he is able to continue his upward trajectory.
Arif Aiman (Malaysia)
Arif Aiman is another youngster who is charting his path through the AFC Champions League territory having scored three goals and provided two assists in a breakthrough continental campaign for Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Arif Aiman is another youngster who is charting his path through the AFC Champions League territory having scored three goals and provided two assists in a breakthrough continental campaign for Johor Darul Ta’zim.
The exciting 21-year-old winger started all of the Harimau Malaya’s group stage matches and was at his very best against Korea Republic where his marauding runs and successful spot-kick were the highlights in a memorable 3-3 draw.
Poll ends at 22:00 (UTC+8) on February 19.
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