Jonathan Khemdee (Thailand)
At just 22 years old, Jonathan Khemdee has already had a good start as a professional footballer. A product of the youth academy of Danish club Odense Boldklub, Khemdee signed for his first Thai club when he joined Ratchaburi FC in January 2023.
Last season, the centre-back was voted Thai League 1's best defender after helping Ratchaburi finish sixth, their highest position since 2017. For the national team, he was called up for the 2020 AFF Cup but had to withdraw due to acid reflux.
Since then, Khemdee has been a standout performer for Thailand U23, helping them reach back-to-back SEA Games finals in 2022 and 2023. He then caught the eye of Thailand head coach Masatada Ishii this year, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in Thailand’s wins over Vietnam, the Philippines and Syria.
Haqimi Azim (Malaysia)
Haqimi Azim is considered one of Malaysia’s next big stars and is expected to occupy the No. 9 position for many years to come. The striker was called up to the Malaysian national team for the first time in late 2022.
Azim scored his first goal for Malaysia against Laos at the 2022 AFF Cup, but has been absent from the national team for a long time since then. He was recalled in June this year, following his classy goal against Kuwait at the AFC U23 Asian Cup earlier this year in Qatar.
Farhan Zulkifli (Singapore)
Farhan Zulkifli burst onto the scene at just 16 years old in 2019 when he became the second youngest goalscorer in Singapore Premier League history with his debut goal for Hougang United.
However, it seems that this season Farhan has really come of age and shined brightly. As captain of the Young Lions, he has scored 4 goals and provided 7 assists in the domestic league.
Farhan Zulkifli can play well in any position on the left wing. After scoring his first goal for Singapore in a recent friendly match against Myanmar, Zulkifli is confidently looking forward to the 2024 AFF Cup.
Sieng Chanthea (Cambodia)
One of Cambodia's brightest young strikers, Sieng Chanthea has become a star of the national team over the past few years.
Chanthea scored on his national team debut against Pakistan in 2019. He then went on to score in the AFF Cup, against Laos and Thailand. Earlier this year, he became the first Cambodian footballer to score against CONCACAF rivals Guyana at the FIFA Series in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
This season, he has 5 goals and 3 assists for Boeung Ket club. Chanthea will lead the Cambodian team's attack towards reaching the AFF Cup semi-finals for the first time.
Zenivio (Timor-Leste)
Timor-Leste have been producing some exciting talent in recent times and Zenivio is one of them. He is the youngest player to feature at the AFF Cup 2020 at just 16 years old.
Born in Ainaro, a town located 78 km south of the capital Dili, Zenivio is now a very important starter for the Timor-Leste national team thanks to his versatility in playing style.
Zenivio became the first Timor-Leste player to feature in the Singapore Premier League when he signed for Tanjong Pagar United in 2024. The club is managed by Noh Alam Shah, and Zenivio is a regular starter despite being just 19 years old. With that foundation, Zenivio and the Timor-Leste team are ready for their AFF Cup 2024 debut.
