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[Awards Review]
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▶ Six AFC stars to watch in 2025
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[2024/12/29 ]
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World Cup qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup proved to be the perfect setting for six rising stars of Asian football.
2024 was an important year for football in the Middle East and Asia. The AFC Asian Cup and qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 26 provided a fitting stage for more exciting young talent than ever before to put their skills on display.
 Asian football is in the middle of a phase of rapid development and, with greater competitiveness on the international stage, young players are getting the chance to beguile fans both at home and abroad, and stake their claim as potential world-beaters. Here, we will take a look at six stars who impressed this year and are worth keeping an eye on in 2025.
Mohammad Abualnadi – Jordan
No one in Jordan would have predicted quite how fantastic 2024 has been for the nation's football team. Not only did they reach the knockouts of the AFC Asian Cup, they beat Iraq 3-2, secured a 1-0 win over Tajikistan, and defeated Korea Republic 2-0 in order to each their first ever final.
With Jordan in outstanding form, defender Abualnadi has been earmarked as someone who could become a cornerstone of the team for years to come. He carried the consistency and leadership skills that he exhibited throughout the domestic season into the World Cup qualifiers, earning his first cap for the senior team in a match against Korea DPR on 27 August.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev – Uzbekistan
An attacking midfielder needs flair and an eye for goal, and that is exactly what Fayzullaev brings to the table. He was a crucial part of the Uzbekistan side that claimed the country’s maiden AFC U-20 Asian Cup in 2023, where he was named as the tournament's MVP.
His efforts didn't go unnoticed, and he was promoted to the senior side for both the AFC Asia Cup and World Cup qualifiers, where Uzbekistan currently occupy second place in Group A with 13 points. If they are to maintain this excellent start and achieve a prized automatic qualification spot, it is certain that three-goal Fayzullaev will have a vital role to play.
Marselino Ferdinan – Indonesia
Ferdinan brings both an impressive array of technical skills and an ability to read the game in his role as an attacking midfielder. His performances have wowed onlookers, and culminated in him scoring both goals in the Garuda's historic victory over Saudi Arabia last month.
His iconic celebration, in which he coolly sat and posed on a chair, has been copied across playgrounds throughout Indonesia, and the ability he showed during the game left many fans spellbound. The win lifted Indonesia into third place in Group C, boosting their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since their independence and, at just 20 years of age, Marselino has already become an integral player for his country.
Ali Jasim – Iraq
Jasim’s star has shone brighter than ever in 2024, as his clinical finishing and ability to create chances in tight spaces have made him a key player for Iraq. He finished the AFC U-23 Asian Cup as top scorer and was also selected to represent his country at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, where he scored the winner in their opening contest against Ukraine.
Iraq currently sit in the second automatic qualification spot in Group B of the third round of Asian qualifiers, just behind leaders Korea Republic. Their dream of appearing at the World Cup will hinge on their star players, Jasim chief among them, continuing to put in quality performances.
Marcus Meloni – UAE
An outstanding tackler who has a knack for launching counter-attacks, defensive midfielder Meloni earned his full debut for the United Arab Emirates' senior team this year, where he has continued to shine.
Meloni’s efforts in the ongoing third round of Asian qualifiers have won him plenty of admirers, and the UAE will be counting on him as they look to qualify for their first World Cup since 1990.
Seol Youngwoo – Korea Republic
In 2024, Korea Republic’s Seol Youngwoo confirmed his status as one of the young talents to watch in Asian football. His seemingly boundless energy was on display at this year’s AFC Asian Cup, and it appears that he is exactly the sort of dynamic full-back that Korea Republic needed.
In the last-16 match against Saudi Arabia, he put the ball on a plate for team-mate Cho Guesung to score an added-time equaliser. Then, his tireless running in the quarter-final earned Seol the Player of the Match Award and, while Korea Republic were disappointed to lose to Jordan in the semis, his emergence was a bright spot in their campaign.
- The origianl text resource is from FIFA Official Website |
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