Manama: Ahead of the crucial quarter-finals of the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016, we take a look at the young stars from each of the remaining teams who have shone the brightest so far and could make an impact in the last eight.
Up first, four players from our first two quarter-final matches played on Sunday.
Bahrain – Mohamed Marhoon
Shirt Number: 8
Position: Midfield
Starts/Sub Appearances: 3/0
Minutes Played: 262
Goals: 1
Mohamed Marhoon provides the creative thrust and flair in an impressive Bahrain attack with his quick feet, close control and ability to bring other players into the game making him a threat with the ball at his feet. The son of a former footballer, his weakness lies in his reluctance to track back.
Vietnam – Duoan Van Hau
Shirt Number: 5
Position: Defence
Starts/Sub Appearances: 2/0
Minutes Played: 180
Goals: 1
Left back Duoan Van Hau impressed in Vietnam’s first two games with his positional awareness in defence and also his ability to step into midfield to assist his team when in possession. Showed the threat he presents from long range, too, in the 3-2 win over DPR Korea by scoring the winner with a thumping strike in injury time.
Iraq – Waleed Kareem
Shirt Number: 20
Position: Midfield
Starts/Sub Appearances: 3/0
Minutes Played: 216
Goals: 3
The tournament’s top scorer with three goals in the group stage, Waleed Kareem is much more than someone who finishes off moves. From his position behind striker Alaa Abbas, Kareem’s positional awareness allows him to present a threat in attack either switching with Kareem or arriving late in the penalty area while also bringing other players into the game, especially when he feeds the ball wide.
Saudi Arabia – Rakan Al Anaze
Shirt Number: 7
Position: Forward
Starts/Sub Appearances: 3/0
Minutes Played: 253
Goals: 2
The Al Nassr striker has looked a threat in every game he has played for Saudi Arabia so far. Besides posing a scoring threat on his own, his unselfish play also helps bring in many of his attacking teammates and creates headaches for any defence he comes up against. The highlight of his tournament so far remains the second group game against Thailand where he scored the opener while also assisting two others in a 4-0 romp.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com