Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As the 24 teams battle for the Continental crown in January, goals will be the most valuable currency. The-AFC.com kicks off our weekly Asian Cup UAE 2019 series '10 of the Best' with a look at 10 target men whose nations will rely on to deliver the goals.
UAE's Ali Mabkhout nipped the top scorer award in 2015 with five goals. But with the tournament expanded from 16 to 24 teams this time around, the goals race is set to be even more heated. Here are a selection of leading candidates who could take the mantle from the Emirati this January.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/photo/10_of_the_best_goal_threats.html
10 of the Best: Goal Threats
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After a breakthrough season in which he helped Al Sadd reach the 2018 AFC Champions League semi-finals, Akram Afif is set to take on his first AFC Asian Cup next month.
Despite being just 22, Akram Afif already has playing experience in Belgium and Spain, the Qatari midfielder will look to cement his status as one of Asia's top talents during January's AFC Asian Cup.
Nationality: Qatar
Date of birth: 18/11/1996
Position: Midfield
Current club: Al Sadd (Qatar)
Previous clubs: Eupen (Belgium), Villarreal, Sporting Gijon (both Spain)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam boast an exciting young crop of players that have excelled at youth levels in recent years, with gifted midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai arguably the biggest talent of the side heading to the United Arab Emirates.
The Southeast Asian nation had never previously qualified for the AFC Asian Cup, having appeared as co-hosts in 2007 (South Vietnam played in 1956 and 1960), but Quang Hai and his teammates have raised hopes that the current generation could go on to achieve something special.
Nationality: Vietnam
Date of birth: 12/04/1997
Position: Midfield
Current club: Hanoi FC (Vietnam)
Previous club: Saigon FC (Vietnam)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Perhaps no single player in the continent is as important for their home nation as Sunil Chhetri has been for India over the past decade.
India have booked their place amongst Asia's top 24 national teams thanks in a large part to Sunil Chhetri, who - even at the age of 34- continues to be unrivalled as the country's best player and widely acknowledged as the finest footballer it has ever produced.
Nationality: India
Date of birth: 03/08/1984
Position: Striker
Current club: JSW Bengaluru (India)
Previous clubs: Mohun Bagan, JCT, East Bengal, Dempo, Chirag United, Churchill Brothers, Mumbai City (All India); Sporting B (Portugal)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: In the absence of 2018 AFC Cup top scorer An Il-bom, attacker Jong Il-gwan remains DPR Korea's key attacking outlet in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign.
DPR Korea qualified to the AFC Asian Cup for the third time in a row, finishing second behind Lebanon in their qualifiers group, but they remain without a win in the Finals since 1980. Key to their chances of getting a first victory in the UAE will be leading scorer Jong Il-gwan.
Nationality: DPR Korea
Date of birth: 30/10/1992
Position: Forward
Current club: Free Agent
Previous clubs: Rimyongsu (DPR Korea), FC Luzern, FC Wil (both Switzerland)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
After enduring a tough period since losing the 2007 AFC Asian Cup final to Iraq, Saudi Arabia qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and now go into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as among the favourites with Salem Al Dawsari one of their key players.
Despite the likes of Nawaf Al Abed and Yahya Al Shehri possessing unmatched raw talent in Saudi Arabian football, it is Al Dawsari who has excelled at both club and country level to become arguably the Green Falcons' most dangerous player.
Nationality: Saudi Arabia Date of birth: 19/08/1991 Position: Attack Current club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) Previous clubs: Villareal (Spain, loan)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: While Tottenham Hotspurs' Son Heung-min will not join Korea Republic's squad until the final Group Stage tie, midfield star Lee Jae-sung is one to savour in his absence.
Son Heung-min may be Korea Republic's poster boy, but Lee Jae-sung, who has proved a success at German side Holstein Kiel since his summer move, can have his moment to shine for the Taeguk Warriors if given the opportunity.
Having been a key part of former side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' success in the AFC Champions League, winning it in 2016, the talented playmaker will now aim for similar glories at the national team level of Asian football.
Date of birth: 10/08/1992
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Holstein Kiel (Germany)
Previous clubs: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Korea Republic)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Having missed out on the previous two editions, Thailand's new generation led by Chanathip Songkrasin are aiming to make an impression in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
One of Thailand's most recognised names across the continent, Chanathip has impressed since his move to the J-League 18 months ago. The creative midfielder will be his country's main attacking outlet as they look to make an impression in January.
Nationality: Thailand Date of birth: 05/10/1993 Position: Midfielder Current club: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (Japan) Previous clubs: BEC Tero Sasana, Muangthong United (Both Thailand)