7 Youngsters to Watch Out for in the 2016 Suzuki Cup

15 February 2017 06:15

The 2016 Suzuki Cup is upon us, with this year's tournament, hosted by Myanmar and the Philippines, set to begin on November 19th. 


The AFF Championship features eight teams in two separate groups, with the top two of each group progressing through to the semi finals. 

Group A features the Indonesian national side alongside hosts Philippines, defending champions Thailand and Singapore, while Group B consists of Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam.


Here are seven youngsters to watch our for in Southeast Asia this month.


1. Mike Ott

1. FC Nuernberg Team Presentation

Country: Philippines

Club: FC Nurnberg II

Age: 21 years old

Position: Attacking Midfielder / Second Striker


Ott has both a Filipino mother and a German father, which explains why he has spent his whole career in German football. The attacking midfielder, who can also play up front, currently plies his trade with FC Nurnberg's reserve side.

Thomas Dooley, manager of the Philippines national side, has big expectations of the 21-year-old, with Ott already experienced in the way of European football.


2. Chenrop Samphaodi

FBL-AFC-U23-THA-CAM

Country: Thailand

Club: BEC Tero Sasana

Age: 21 years old

Position: Striker


Simply known as Chen, Samphaodi has risen through the ranks of Thailand's youth levels and is now part of the senior side. The youngster will be able to play alongside the likes of Teerasil Dangda, Tana Chanabut, and Siroch Chattong up front for the reigning Suzuki Cup champions.

Dangda's experience in particular, gained from spells at Manchester City and Almeria, could be especially helpful to Chen's development. The Bangkok Christian College academy graduate is extremely agile on the ball, is not scared of taking on opponents and has the potential to be his side's wild card.


3. Evan Dimas Darmono

SEAGAMES-2015-SIN-FBL

Country: Indonesia

Clubs: Bhayangkara Surabaya United

Age: 21 years old

Position: Midfielder


Billed as the future of Indonesian football, Darmono has been likened to FC Barcelona legend Xavi by the local press on accounts of his passing ability, vision and ability to create a chance out of nothing. 

Having trained in Spain as a youngster Darmano has all the qualities to be the eventual successor to Firman Utina. In this year's Suzuki Cup, the midfielder may well be key to Alfred Riedl's plans.


4. Irfan Fandi Ahmad

Country: Singapore

Clubs: Home United FC

Age: 19 years old

Position: Striker


Often called the Cristiano Ronaldo of Asia due to his superb play from the wings, the 19-year-old has football in his blood, with his father, Ahmad Fadli, also playing for the Singapore national team.

The teenager could be one of the surprise packages for the 2016 Suzuki Cup and his ability with a football could finally be shown on a continental stage.


5. Kyaw Ko Ko

Myanmar's Kyaw Ko Ko (C) scores his seco

Country: Myanmar

Club: Yangon United

Age: 23 years old

Position: Striker


Despite being just 23 years of age, the Yangon United star already has eight goals in just 38 matches for the Myanmar national side and could well add to that tally in Group B.

Kway's strengths lie in his sharpness in front of goal and he has become a mainstay in Gerd Zeise's starting XI alongside Aung Thu. The host nation will be expecting the pair to provide the goals as they attempt to make the knockout stage. 


6. Luong Xuan Truong

FBL-VIE-NKOREA-FRIENDLY

Country: Vietnam

Club: Incheon United

Age: 21 years old

Position: Midfielder


Truong's presence in South Korea with Incheon United has helped his football development, with the midfielder's ball control a quality that qualifies him to be a linchpin in the Vietnamese side.

The 21-year-old is often given the task of stopping the opponent's flow of football but he is also capable of playing the ball out himself. Tipped for big things, the 2016 Suzuki Cup may be the perfect opportunity for Truong to showcase his skills. 


7. Prak Mony Udom

FBL-AFC-U23-THA-CAM-PHI

Country: Cambodia

Club: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng

Age: 22 years old

Position: Attacking Midfielder / Second Striker


After captaining the Cambodian under 19 side, Udom rose through the ranks of the U-22 and U-23 levels to finally reach the senior side and make it into the squad for this month's Suzuki Cup.

He can play both as an attacking midfielder and a second striker, which allows Mony Udom to know the perfect moment to either dribble the ball himself or pass to a teammate. He is the key to Cambodia's success in the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Source: 90min