Young stars to watch at AFC Asian Cup 2024

AFC Asian Cup is starting from today in Qatar where Asia's 24 teams will be fighting for the right to be called the best team in Asia.

While Son Heung-min, Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun and Wataru Endo will be some of the most high-profile names in action during the 18th edition of the tournament, there are also plenty of up-and-coming stars who will be hoping to elevate their status over the coming month.Lets look at top 5 young stars to watch out in this competition.

5. Arif Aiman (Malaysia)

Arif Aiman bin Mohd Hanapi plays as a winger for Johor Darul Ta'zim and the Malaysia national football team.

Arif Aiman has had a year like no other for Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim. The 21-year-old winger scored 12 goals and provided a hatful of assists as JDT secured the Malaysia Super League title for the 10th season running.

in 2023 he has registered 24 goals and 16 assists in 39 games across all competitions for JDT, also taking the club’s MVP award as its best player.

Blessed with pace and footwork to get past defenders, the JDT forward could prove to be a potent weapon for Kim Pan-gon as the Harimau Malaya look to make a mark on their return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2007.  

4. Keito Nakamura (Japan)

Keito Nakamura has been a thrilling player to watch for Japan and maintained a very prolific nature for the Samurai Blue too. He has scored five goals in as many appearances and is slowly turning into an undroppable figure.

The Reims winger is blessed with speed and impressive close control, while he also tends to finish chances clinically. Nakamura will aim to maintain his fantastic goal-per-game heroics for Japan and keep ruthlessly finishing chances in every game.

3. Firas Al-Buraikan (Saudi Arabia)

Feras Al Brikan may only be 23 years old, but with 38 caps for Saudi Arabia, his experience is already quite extensive and he’ll take on a key role in Qatar with Saudi Arabia aiming to win a record-equalling fourth title and first since 1996.

Al Ahli striker has scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists in the Saudi Pro League this season. Al-Buraikan is a ruthless finisher who doesn’t really need that many chances to score. He’ll be determined to be at his ruthless best and finish off chances.

2. Lee Kang-in ( Korea Republic)

Kang-in Lee earned himself a big move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window last year and had a steady start to life under Luis Enrique. 

The 22 years old midfielder has 4 goals for Korea Republic in 19 apps so far and he could add that extra feistiness in his side’s attack and use his unpredictable side to cut open opposition backlines with ease.

1. Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

The 22 years old ex Barcelona and Real Madrid youth player will be THE player to watch out in this AFC Asian Cup. The Diminutive playmaker has 3 goals in 29 caps for the "Samurai Blue" and will be very important for Japan who will be determined to win their 5th Asian Cup.

The winger has also shone brightly in Spain, scoring nine goals and being a key creator last season to help steer Real Sociedad into the UEFA Champions League for the first time in a decade. And he has already netted six times in La Liga this season for La Real who are once again aiming to finish among the top four.