AFF Cup 2018: A season without stars

Neil Etheridge (Philippines)

On Manilastandard, goalkeeper Patrick Deyto revealed: "It's unfortunate that Neil Etheridge will not be able to play with us at the AFF Cup."

Currently, the goalkeeper born in 1990 is on the payroll of Cardiff City. He is not only the number 1 choice of the Philippines national team, but also an extremely important player of coach Neil Warnock in the Welsh team.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge in Cardiff City shirt. Photo: Internet

Therefore, Cardiff City decided not to let the 28-year-old goalkeeper return to serve his hometown team (AFF Cup is not part of FIFA's competition system). Without Neil Etheridge, the strength of the Philippine national team will be significantly affected.

Besides, the absence of the first Southeast Asian player to play in the Premier League also makes regional football fans feel quite disappointed.

Teerasil Dangda (Thailand)

The current number 1 striker of the Thai national team will not participate in the AFF Cup 2018 with coach Milovan Rajevac and his team. The reason is that the home team Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Japan) does not accept Teerasil Dangda to return to serve the national team, because the AFF Cup is not in the FIFA competition system. Although it is regrettable, coach Milovan Rajevac and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) can do nothing else.

Teerasil Dangda won the AFF Cup Top Scorer title three times in a row. Photo: Internet

The absence of the "goal killer" born in 1988 is a great loss for the team nicknamed "war elephants". Teerasil Dangda's class is unquestionable. The 30-year-old star has won the title of Top Scorer at the AFF Cup three times in a row (2012, 2014 and 2016).

Teerasil Dangda is one of the best strikers in Southeast Asia's top tournament, with 15 goals (second only to Noh Alam Shah of the Singapore national team).

Vu Van Thanh (Vietnam)

Unlike the case of Neil Etheridge and Teerasil Dangda, the reason why the HAGL player missed the AFF Cup 2018 was due to injury. The absence of the defender born in 1996 will greatly affect the strength of the Vietnam national team. What Vu Van Thanh has done for HAGL, U23 Vietnam and the Vietnam national team over the past year is clear proof.

Vu Van Thanh is coach Park Hang Seo's favorite student. Photo: Internet

In terms of Vietnamese football, even in the whole Southeast Asia region, there are few players who can play excellently in all positions of right back, left back and left midfielder like Vu Van Thanh.

Recently, Coach Park Hang Seo has been having a headache in finding a replacement for the defender from Hai Duong. Vu Van Thanh’s dream of conquering the AFF Cup title will have to wait another 2 years.

Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)

The player nicknamed “Thai Messi” was also not allowed by Consadole Sapporo (Japan) to participate in the AFF Cup 2018 with coach Milovan Rajevac and his team. Without the presence of Chanathip Songkrasin, the goal of defending the title of the Thai national team will become much more difficult. Simply put, the midfielder born in 1993 is the brightest talent of Thai football in recent years.

Chanathip Songkrasin is shining in J-League 1. Photo: Internet

In recent times, while playing for Consadole Sapporo (the team Le Cong Vinh used to play for), Chanathip Songkrasin has shown remarkable progress. This player is making a strong impression in the Japanese championship (J.League 1), with 7 goals for Consadole Sapporo after 26 matches. It is not an exaggeration to say that Chanathip Songkrasin is one of the most worth-watching stars in Southeast Asian football.

The above absences are extremely regrettable, but in return, fans of the “lowland” region will witness the talent of famous strategist Sven-Goran Eriksson (former England captain) in the position of head coach of the Philippines national team. Therefore, the AFF Cup 2018 still has many things worth waiting for./.