2019 Asian Cup: 10 youngsters to watch out for

With the turn of the year, Asian football lovers will witness the greatest battle of their continent: the Asian Cup. It is a quadrennial event, which is about to start from January 5, 2019, with hosts United Arab Emirates facing Bahrain in the opening match.

India, after eight years, has qualified for the prestigious tournament. So, this winter will be busy for the Indian football as Sunil Chhetri and co. will try to etch new history in the record books.

Like every year, this year too, some promising youngsters are waiting in the ranks to grab the world’s attention. After all, an impressive display will earn a lucrative deal with a reputed club.

In this article, we take a look at exciting talents on whom we should keep an eye.

#10 Nguyen Quang Hai (Vietnam)

2018 will certainly be a year Nguyen Quand Hai will remember for his life. In January, he helped his country reach the final of the AFC U-23 championship. Thereafter, Vietnam entered the final of the Asian Games before losing out to South Korea. They finally won the AFF Suzuki Cup a few days ago.

Hai played a major role for his country in all these tournaments. The left-footed playmaker is gifted with an abundance of skill, vision and a taste for the big occasion. In the Suzuki Cup, he scored three goals, one of which from a stunning left-footed free-kick against Laos.

He is superb from dead ball situations, both in terms of crossing and striking from distance. Due to his performance, Hai was awarded the most valuable player of the tournament for the third successive edition.

He has also been nominated for Best Asian Footballer award.

#9 Abdulrahman Ghareeb (Saudi Arabia)

Ghareeb made his international debut against Brazil in October

The young Saudi Arabian player caught the eye of everyone with his impressive performances for Al Ahli. After helping the club to dominate, Ghareeb earned his first national team call-up and the youngster made his debut against Brazil in October.

The young midfielder played his first full match for his country against Yemen in November. He scored in that match, which all but ensured his place in the squad for the Asian Cup.

#8 Hwang In-beom – Korea Republic

Hwang has made six appearances for his country

Hwang started his career for Daejeon Citizen Football club in K-League 2. But this year he was sent to play in Asan Mughughwa as a part of the mandatory army service by his country. However, after helping the country to the gold medal in Asian Games, he was released and has returned to Daejeon since.

Such is his talent that Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps had made an offer for the South Korean youngster. But no outcome has since come out after the initial report and Hwang has already joined with his teammates in UAE.

Hwang has made six appearances for his country so far and scored one goal against Panama.

#7 Mohanad Ali (Iraq)

Mohanad is physically and technically strong

Mohanad’s started playing football at the age of 13 but his name cropped during an age fudging controversy. After much discussion, it was learnt that the officials had confused his name with another footballer having the same name.

The Al-Shorta player is famous for his dribbling ability, feints and close ball control. Mohanad made his debut for the country in December last year against Bahrain.

He scored his first goal against Saudi Arabia. His best match probably was against Argentina, where he came on as a substitute against the likes of Paulo Dybala.

The 18-year old is physically and technically strong. He is very effective from headers and known for his speed, and can beat defenders with quick turns.

#6 Anirudh Thapa (India)

A product of AIFF Elite Academy, Anirudh Thapa suddenly got a chance to show his credentials when Chennaiyin FC’s Dhanachandra Singh was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Anirudh was included in the team and handed his first professional debut against FC Goa. He played for 67 minutes and nearly scored a goal.

He also played a pivotal role for Minerva Punjab in the I-League, where he was loaned out to. Chennaiyin FC brought him back and Thapa impressed last season and helped his team to win the title for the 2nd time. He scored two goals in the campaign, including the one against FC Goa in the semi-finals.

He has become a regular feature in Chennaiyin’s midfield this season. But the two-time champions are witnessing a horrendous run this time and Anirudh too hasn’t impressed much.

He is one of the talented youngsters for the Indian team and it remains to be seen how he performs in the Asian Cup.

#5 Bassam Hisham (Qatar)

The talented youngster has spent a year on loan in the Spanish top division with Celta Vigo, though he didn’t get many matches under his belt. He also spent some time with Belgian club KAS Eupen and has gained enough European football experience before returning back to Qatar.

He started making headlines with his performance for Al Rayyan in his homeland and after his European sojourn, he switched his allegiance to Duhail Sports Club.

Normally Bassam plays as a right back, but he is equally comfortable up as a centre back and also can play in the centre of the field. The boy can score long-rangers.

#4 Dostonbek Khamdamov (Uzbekistan)

Khamdamov won the AFC Young Player of the Year award

The Bekabad-born winger currently plays for Russian top division club Anzhi Makhachkala but it was his performances with Turkish side Bunyodkar that caught the attention of everyone.

Playing as a left-winger, Khamdamov can unleash lethal crosses to the strikers and is very clever from dead ball situations. He can also score from distance, like the one he scored against Japan in the U-20 World Cup earlier this year. Uzbekistan won the match 3-0.

Khamdamov won the AFC Young Player of the Year award and has been touted as the next big thing from Uzbekistan.

#3 Supachai Jaided (Thailand)

Supachai honed his skills there before signing for Super Power

As a 10-year old boy, Supachai was sent to Sweden for footballing lessons from the academy where he learnt to play football. Since then, there has been no looking back for the Thai youngster.

The six-feet tall striker has played exceptionally well in the Suzuki Cup and scored two beautiful goals against the Philippines and Singapore. The youngster never dreamt of playing football until he was given an opportunity by local coach Seri Ahmed at Pattani Provincial Stadium.

The 20-year old honed his skills there before signing for Super Power and then for Buriram United. He has played eight matches for his country and scored three goals.

#2 Khalifa Mubarak (UAE)

Mubarak is touted as the âAndres Iniesta of UAEâ — Mubarak is touted as the ‘Andres Iniesta of UAE’

The Emirati footballer is touted as the ‘Andres Iniesta of UAE’ by his passionate supporters. For the number of assists he provides in every match makes him one of the greatest weapon of his country.

Mubarak played almost all of his youth career for Al Ahli but didn’t get too many chances at the senior level. But he showed what he can do after joining Al Jazira.

Mubarak has played only 13 matches this season for his club. Despite this, he registered eight goals, including a hat-trick against Emirates Club to go with a staggering 11 assists, including all three against Al Fujairah SC.

UAE will be hoping to get Mubarak in his best form in the Asian Cup so that the country can reach new milestones as a host.

#1 Oday Dabbagh (Palestine)

Along with talented young players from other countries, the spotlight will be on Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh too.

Dabbagh plays for West Bank Premier League champions Hilal Al-Quds. In a friendly against the Kyrgyz Republic, he marked his first international goal in a fashionable manner.

Dabbagh caught everyone’s eye with his performances in AFC U-23 Championship in China, where he scored in three consecutive matches against DPR Korea, Thailand and Qatar. That helped Palestine reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Palestine has been drawn in Group B against Australia, Jordan and Syria but with the confidence of Dabbagh and others, Palestine will be hoping for an upset.