Top 10 Players to Watch in AFC U-17 Asian Cup

Some of these players have shown glimpses of their tremendous potential and ability.

The 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup is all set to kick-start in Thailand on June 16. This will actually be the first edition of the rebranded version of the tournament, which has been going on since 1985. In the past, it was known as the AFC U-16 Championship before the organizers decided to slightly up the age limit.

This tournament has had 18 editions in the past and it’ll mark the 19th edition in Thailand. The best Asian teams will collide in this tournament and some of the very best young players from the continent will be on display. Almost every team has its share of bright youngsters ready to make an impact, but there are a few particularly brilliant young players that could make a major statement for their teams. Here we look at the 10 players to watch in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.

10. Wang Yudong (China)

China are two-time winners of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup and aim to clinch their third title in Thailand. They’ve been placed in a really challenging group with Australia, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan, but will aim to use their underdogs tag to pull off an upset. They will be quite dependent on young striker Wang Yudong to inspire them to positive results.

The Zheijang Football Association player scored eight goals for China in the U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers last year. He’s a really clinical striker, known for his pace and hunger for goals in the final third. Yudong will aim to use his clever movement and ruthlessness to finish off whatever chances China can create and lead them far into the tournament.

9. Tontawan Puntamunee (Thailand)

As the hosts, Thailand will be expected to entertain their fans with some exciting attacking football in the U-17 Asian Cup. The 1998 AFC U-17 Asian Cup champions have a talented attacking core that is lead by striker Tontawan Puntamunee. The no.9 is a menacing figure who is often at the end of their chances.

Tontawan scored five goals in four games in the U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers and proved how lethal he can be. The teenage sensation will aim to gain energy from the home support and put his deft finishing skills to good use and take Thailand as far as possible.

8. Thanglalsoun Gangte (India)

India have a well-prepared, exciting young core heading into the U-17 Asian Cup and aim to thrive with the underdogs tags. Bibiano Fernandes’ side are likely to take a fearless approach and not just be dependent on defensive sturdiness to get results. They will be on the front foot and aim to get inspiration from striker Thanglalsoun Gangte.

The Sudeva Delhi youngster was impressive in the qualifiers, scoring five goals in four games. He’s performed impressively in the Germany and Spain preparatory games and looks to be in good form. Gangte will need to maintain his composure and use his unique skills well to torment defenders and finish off whatever chances he gets to help India pull off big results.

7. Rento Takaoka (Japan)

Three-time champions Japan are the most decorated team in AFC U-17 Asian Cup history. They head into this tournament as favorites and are in India’s group. Japan has a highly talented, varied young core – which includes some menacing attacking players. That includes their talented forward Rento Takaoka, who comes from the Nissho Gakuen high school team.  

Takaoka is blessed with pace and a lot of trickery with the ball in his feet. He impressed in Japan U-17’s victories over Mali and Comoros earlier this year, scoring in both of them. Takaoka can be a thorn for any defenders and will aim to his incisive style to contribute a lot of goals for Japan in the upcoming games.

6. Mitchell Glasson (Australia)

Despite their dominance at the senior level, Australia U-17 have never actually won the U-17 Asian Cup. They’ll am to break their curse after three semi-final knockouts by dominating in Thailand. The Socceroos have picked a strong squad with quality youth players from some of their best clubs. That includes their in-form striker Mitchell Glasson, who has been on fire since debuting for the youth team.

He’s scored six goals in as many games for Australia U-17 and is known for being a livewire in the final third. Glasson knows how to get into the empty areas in the box and at the end of chances, with his finishing being quite varied as well. The Sydney FC youngster will look to prove his quality at the highest level and bully defenders with his emphatic style.

5. Yoon Do-Yong (South Korea)

South Korea heads into the U-17 Asian Cup as one of the favorites to win it and with a really exciting squad too. Their no.7 Yoon Do-Yong has been in impressive form for the U-17 team in recent months and been an inspired figure from midfield. The midfielder is blessed with creativity, being able to pull off those innovative passes to unlock defensive lines.

He’s also an impressive set-piece taker, being able to deliver menacing crosses and a penalty specialist – who scored in wins over Croatia and Turkey earlier this year. Do-Yong will aim to lead from the front by helping his side control possession and play decisive passes into the final third, while also looking to add goals with his varied finishing skills.

4. Reza Ghandipour (Iran)

Iran has been one of the rising forces in Asian Football over recent years and aims to consolidate that by winning the upcoming competition. They have a number of talented attacking players, led by their forward Reza Ghandipour. The Paykhan FC forward impressed in the 2022 Cafa U-16 championship last year, scoring four goals for Iran and being named as the Player of the Tournament.

Reza is an all-round forward, who works really hard in the final third and can do it all. He is a decisive goal-scorer, who is capable of finishing off chances with ease and also create them for his teammates. The teenager will aim to prove his quality at the highest level for Iran and inspire them to a solid outing in the U-17 Asian Cup.

3. Amirbek Saidov (Uzbekistan)

Uzbekistan will be the dark horses of the tournament and are blessed to have a really menacing forward leading their line. Indeed, Amirbek Saidov has seemingly gotten better and better for them in recent months and is heading into the U-17 Asian Cup with an impressive reputation.

He was the top scorer of the 2022 Cafa U-16 Championship with six goals in four games and has maintained his consistency over the last year or so. The White Wolves’ no.9 will need to be at his clinical best in the upcoming games, but knowing his ability to finish of chances clinically – Saidov will definitely be one to watch out for.

2. Yutaka Michiwaki (Japan)

Japan are heading to the tournament with a number of top class young players who are capable of winning games on their own. One of that is their star forward Yutaka Michiwaki, who has scored four goals in his last three appearances for Japan U-17. He plays for Japanese second-division side Roasso Kumamoto and has already started featuring for their senior side.

Michiwaki scored 11 goals in 12 appearances for Japan U-16 and is an absolute goal machine, being able to get at the end of chances impressive and finish them off from all kinds of situations. The 17-year-old needs to be at his ruthless best to take the U-17 Asian Cup by storm and help Japan go all the way.

1. Nestory Irankuda (Australia)

Australia have a major ace-in-the-hole in their team in the form of Nestory Irankuda, who has already started taking the A-League by storm in the country. Indeed, the Adelaide United striker was a breakthrough star in the competition last season, scoring five goals and contributing two assists in 19 appearances for them. Irankuda is known for being a street smart player with impressive game-reading ability and a lot of skills in his arsenal.

The 17-year-old is a livewire with the ball, being able to use his pace and trickery to torment players. He’s already being linked to a move to Bayern Munich and this tournament is perfect for him to prove how good he is. Irankuda will look to torment defenders with his sizzling style and will need to play a major factor to help Australia win their first-ever U-17 Asian Cup.