AFC has curated a list of notable stars tipped to shine at the continent’s biggest competition in January.

Pham Tuan Hai celebrates after scoring in Vietnam's 1-0 victory against Syria in a friendly match in June 2023.

It wrote about Hai: "Since reaching the quarter-finals at AFC Asian Cup in 2019, Vietnam have seen a number of new stars emerge, and Pham Tuan Hai has developed into one of the most talked-about players in the Southeast Asian nation."

The article notes that Hai had four starts at the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and scored his first international goal against Afghanistan. AFC believes the Hanoi FC’s striker is having an increasing influence on the Vietnam national team.

"Tuan Hai is one that could light up the upcoming AFC Asian Cup, with the in-form Hanoi FC man displaying his considerable potential in the recently concluded AFC Champions League 2023-24 group stage," it said.

Hai is one of the five strikers to get the call up to the national team in preparation for the 2023 Asian Cup, alongside Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Dinh Bac, and Nguyen Van Tung. Thanks to his scintillating form at both national and club levels, Hai is regarded as a heavy contender for the 2023 Vietnam Golden Ball. He is among the 5 players shortlisted for the award, along with midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc, goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, and defenders Ho Tan Tai and Bui Hoang Viet Anh.

The national team will train in Hanoi until Jan. 5 before departing for Qatar for the 2023 Asian Cup. They will have a friendly against Kyrgyzstan on Jan. 9 before facing Japan in the Group D opener five days later.

Vietnam beat Yemen to qualify for U23 Asian Cup

Vietnam scored a late goal against Yemen Saturday to top group C at the 2024 U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and qualify for the final tournament.

Football: Vietnam eye ticket to AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 finals

Vietnam aim to win all three matches in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 qualification to advance to the finals, said head coach of Vietnam's national and U23 men's squad Philippe Troussier.

2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup: Vietnam in same group with Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Malaysia

Vietnam will share the same Group D with Uzbekistan, Kuwait and Malaysia, according to the result of a draw conducted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on November 23 for 16 teams in the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup finals slated for April 15-May 3.

Vietnam to enter Asian Cup without key defender

Star Vietnam defender Doan Van Hau will miss the Asian Cup next year when he goes to Singapore for heel surgery which may require up to six months of recovery.

Vietnamese footballer nominated for all-time Asian Cup XI

Center-back Que Ngoc Hai is among 10 defenders nominated for four positions in the all-time Asian Cup XI by the Asian Football Federation (AFC).

Source: VnExpress