As the AFC Asian Cup, Asia’s premier continental competition, kicks off, we’ve pinpointed five players who have the potential to make a significant impact in Qatar.
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Which team has won the most AFC Asian Cup titles?
Japan with 4 titles to their name.
Read More: AFC Asian Cup 2023: India vs Australia – Tactical Analysis & Positives for India to look at
Top 5 Players to Watch Out For in AFC Asian Cup 2023
5. Bruno Fornaroli – Australia
Australia heads into the 2023 AFC Asian Cup with confidence following a reasonably successful World Cup campaign that saw them reach the last-16 stage, ultimately thwarted by eventual champions Argentina. The Socceroos are returning to Qatar with a familiar squad, aiming for a deeper run in the knockout stages.
One notable addition to the roster is Melbourne Victory’s Bruno Fornaroli, whose inclusion was inevitable due to his sensational form in the A-League Men. The Uruguay-born striker has displayed natural goal-scoring acumen reminiscent of past Australian football stars like Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, and Mark Viduka.
In just seven games of the 2023-24 A-League Men season, Fornaroli made history by becoming the second-fastest player to reach 10 goals in a season, accomplishing this feat in seven matches, second only to Jamie Maclaren’s six-game effort in 2019-20. He also joined the exclusive club of players with over 100 goals in the competition, alongside Maclaren and Besart Berisha.
Fornaroli’s remarkable performances include scoring four goals in a game twice in his last nine appearances, with a notable four-goal haul against Western Sydney Wanderers in December, achieved with just four shots. This accomplishment places him among the select few players who have scored four or more goals in multiple games in the competition, alongside Shane Smeltz.
Having earned two caps in March 2022 for the Socceroos, Fornaroli enters the AFC Asian Cup with some international experience. Despite limited playing time in those fixtures (45 and 22 minutes), he aims to contribute significantly as Australia seeks to secure their second AFC Asian Cup title.
4. Ali Mabkhout – United Arab Emirates
Ali Mabkhout, the UAE national team’s all-time leading scorer and the UAE Pro League, is known for his composed and collected demeanor. His trademark celebration, characterized by a simple smile, reflects his prolific goal-scoring record over the years. Mabkhout’s consistent success on the field has made him cautious about extravagant celebrations, considering the multitude of goals he has scored.
Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Mabkhout plays a crucial role for his club, Al Jazira, contributing with strategic movements both inside and outside the penalty area. He is not content with merely finding the back of the net; he actively participates in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Over the past three UAE Pro League seasons, Mabkhout has been involved in the third-most attacking sequences, surpassing all other strikers in this period.
His impact in the UAE Pro League is substantial, marked by his status as the league’s all-time leading goal-scorer. However, Mabkhout has set his sights on broader achievements. He aspires to become the most prolific Arab player in top-tier leagues worldwide, with his 216 goals trailing only Omar Al Somah (230) and Abderrazak Hamdallah (229).
While chasing records on the domestic front, Mabkhout’s international accomplishments are equally impressive. Having scored nine goals across the last two editions of the Asian Cup, he shares the top spot with Qatar’s Almoez Ali. Both players are now just five goals away from Ali Daei’s all-time benchmark of 14, setting the stage for a potential record-breaking feat in the upcoming tournament.
Despite facing stiff competition from his Qatari counterpart, Almoez Ali, Mabkhout remains confident in his ability to reach this milestone. A successful campaign in the tournament might elicit more than just a smile from the usually composed Mabkhout, signaling the achievement of a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
3. Feras Al Brikan – Saudi Arabia
At just 23 years old, Feras Al Brikan has already amassed a significant amount of experience with 38 caps for the Saudi Arabia national team. His role in Qatar is crucial, having earned the trust of former coach Hervé Renard, who regarded him as one of the team’s most reliable players.
Known as ‘the melody player’ for his distinctive celebration mimicking strumming a stringed instrument, Al Brikan hopes to set the right rhythm for his teammates as Saudi Arabia aims to secure a record-equalling fourth title, the first since 1996.
While Al Brikan received his first cap in 2019, it was in late 2021 and early 2022 that he solidified his position as Saudi Arabia’s main striker, scoring three crucial goals in a run of five World Cup qualifiers, contributing to victories against Japan, China, and Oman.
Beginning his club career with Al Nassr, Al Brikan decided to move to Al-Fateh in 2021, seeking more playing time. Since then, he has thrived, boasting an impressive scoring record of over one goal in two matches (32 goals in 62 appearances). His stellar form attracted the attention of Al-Ahli, and his September move has proven to be a wise decision, especially with Roberto Firmino experiencing a goal drought.
Al Brikan’s accuracy and clinical finishing set him apart, particularly evident in his time with Al-Fateh, where he scored 39 goals in the Saudi Pro League. Among players with at least 30 goals in that period, he boasts the best conversion rate at 33.1%.
As part of Group C alongside Iraq, Thailand, and Tajikistan, Al Brikan is expected to showcase his goal-scoring abilities. This prospect excites Saudi fans who have seen him score only once for the senior side since early 2022. With opportunities ahead, Al Brikan aims to make a significant impact in the tournament.
2. Takefusa Kubo – Japan
After triumphs over former world champions Germany and Spain in the 2022 World Cup, Japan has established itself as a potent force in football. The Samurai Blue enters the AFC Asian Cup in superb form, particularly in scoring, having notched four or more goals in eight of their last 11 games since Qatar 2022.
Japan’s squad boasts considerable talent, with many players making a mark in Europe, including captain Wataru Endo at Liverpool. Among them, Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad stands out. At 22, Kubo is fulfilling the potential that caught the eye of Barcelona in 2011 and Real Madrid in 2019.
Having been named La Real’s Player of the Season in 2022-23 with 13 goal contributions (9 goals and 4 assists) in La Liga, Kubo continues his impressive performance with nine goal involvements (6 goals and 3 assists) this term. Notably, his six goals in 2023-24 surpass expectations, with a non-penalty expected goals (npxG) value of only 2.6. In Spain’s top flight this season, Kubo holds a remarkable npxG differential of +3.4, second only to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham (+5.8).
Kubo is a force to be reckoned with when dribbling, using his quick feet and vision for precise passing. Known for cutting inside from the right, he efficiently turns these opportunities into shots, making him a constant threat. In La Liga this season, only Rodrygo (34) and Iñaki Williams (31) have more shot-ending carries than Kubo (28).
After finishing as runners-up in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Japan is eager to secure a record-extending fifth title. Should they succeed, Kubo is likely to be the pivotal factor in their triumph.
1. Son Heung-min – South Korea
Son Heung-min stands out as one of Asia’s finest football exports, making history by becoming the first Asian player to finish a season as the top scorer in one of Europe’s top five leagues during the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, sharing the honor with Mohamed Salah. Despite being arguably the greatest player the continent has produced, there’s one notable absence in his illustrious career: a trophy.
Now, with the AFC Asian Cup on the horizon, Son sees a prime opportunity to fill that void. Despite representing South Korea in the tournament three times before (2011, 2015, and 2019), he has yet to lift the coveted trophy. His closest attempt was in 2015 when his current Spurs manager, Ange Postecoglou, denied him in the final, with Australia defeating South Korea 2-1 after extra time in Sydney.
The 2019 edition marked Son’s least successful, failing to score a goal and attempting only three shots in nearly 300 minutes of play. However, the current season presents a different story.
Son has been in exceptional form, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 20 Premier League appearances for Postecoglou’s revamped Spurs. This surpasses his goal involvements from the previous season (10 goals and six assists) in 16 fewer matches. Notably, he leads the Premier League as the biggest xG overperformer, emphasizing his clinical finishing and goal-scoring prowess.
While Son is renowned as a sharpshooter, his versatility shines through. As a captain at both club and international levels, he proves to be a reliable source of creativity. Involved in over 100 shot-ending open-play sequences (115) in the Premier League this season, he showcases his ability to create chances. Among forwards, only Mohamed Salah has created more chances in open play.
With his dual threat in attack, leadership qualities, and wealth of experience, Son emerges as the player capable of guiding his team to glory in the AFC Asian Cup—a triumph that would add the missing piece to his illustrious legacy.
