Cong Phuong named in the list of the players to watch at AFC Cup 2020 ASEAN Zone

Nguyen Cong Phuong
Ho Chi Minh City FC

Much-hyped in Vietnam and beyond for years, Nguyen Cong Phuong is set to make his AFC Cup debut after joining Ho Chi Minh City on loan ahead of the competition.

The 25-year-old forward has had spells in Japan, Korea Republic and Belgium in recent times, but it is with Vietnam’s national team that he has truly displayed his talent.

Part of the side that finished runners-up at the AFC U23 Championship China 2018, Cong Phuong went on to score in both Vietnam’s triumphant 2018 AFF Cup campaign and their quarter-final showing at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

While pace is one of his key weapons, Cong Phuong is also excellent with the ball at his feet and bringing others into play, and his acquisition undoubtedly makes Ho Chi Minh City a stronger outfit ahead of their first foray into the AFC Cup.

Ilija Spasojevic
Bali United

Ilija Spasojevic has been scoring goals for fun since arriving in Indonesia in 2011 and, after winning the Liga 1 title in 2017 with Bhayangkara, the striker was snapped up by Bali United.

The 32-year-old’s success story has continued ever since and Spasojevic finished as top scorer for the Serdadu Tridatu in their title-winning 2019 campaign while he was also named in the Team of the Season.

The 2020 AFC Cup will not be Spasojevic’s first as he was also twice on the scoresheet in Bali’s disappointing 2018 campaign where they exited at the group stage.

Back for a second shot, the imposing forward, who is a threat in the air and on the ground, will hope he and his teammates can show exactly what they are capable of this time round.

Than Paing
Yangon United

While Maung Maung Lwin may be the poster boy of football in Myanmar and the player opposition defences will look to stop, Than Paing is another who has enjoyed a great start to the season.

Yangon’s most prolific scorer in recent years has been Sekou Sylla, but with the Guinean having now departed, Than Paing has made a strong claim to be the focal point of the side’s attack in the opening weeks of 2020.

The number nine has already scored three goals in four league games in Yangon’s unbeaten start, while he added three more as his side eased past Brunei Darussalam’s Indera SC in the Play-off round to advance to the group stage.

Having been in and out of the team for club and country over the years, the 23-year-old appears to be ready to grab his chance with both hands in 2020.

Stephan Schrock
Ceres Negros

It’s fair to say that Bienvenido Maranon’s goals tend to grab the headlines when it comes to Filipino champions Ceres Negros in the AFC Cup.

But equally important in the side’s success over the years has been the creativity and industry of midfielder Stephan Schrock, who has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell since joining in 2016.

Part of the side that were crowned ASEAN Zonal champions in 2017, Schrock has created the highest number of chances among Ceres players in the last two Continental campaigns.

The 33-year-old also created more goals (6) than any other player in last year’s AFC Cup, and if Maranon’s prolific form is to continue in 2020, Schrock will surely have a big part to play.

Befolo Mbarga
Preah Khan Reach Rieng FC

The prolific Befola Mbarga’s 36 goals helped fire Preah Khan Reach Rieng FC to their first C-League title in Cambodia since 2013 as he proved to be the focal point of the side’s attack under Irish coach Conor Nestor.

It was, therefore, unsurprising to see the Cameroonian add a further three goals as Svay Rieng eased past Master 7 of Laos to qualify for the AFC Cup for the first time.

More commonly known as Privat among his fans, Mbarga has enjoyed a fruitful career in Cambodia with clubs including Angkor Tiger and Asia Euro United.

The C-League’s top scorer and MVP in 2019 has proved time and again he’s among the best in the business in the Southeast Asian country, his next – and perhaps toughest – task is to bring that form to the AFC Cup.

Stipe Plazibat
Hougang United

The name Stipe Plazibat will be familiar to regular followers of the AFC Cup and the Croatian returns to the competition after starring for Home United in 2017.

Now with Singapore rivals Hougang United – following spells in Thailand and his homeland – Plazibat brings quality and experience to the tournament newcomers.

A dead-ball specialist and composed finisher, the 30-year-old memorably scored four times away at Vietnam’s Thanh Quang Ninh in 2017.

But there was an even bigger contribution in the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals as two late goals – including a fabulous free-kick – saw Home United past Global FC of the Philippines at the death.