Having already cast our eye over both the likely key players as well as a collection of probable starlets across the ten AFF Suzuki Cup teams it’s time to take a look at those players that are perhaps flying slightly under the radar yet still capable of having a major say on their nation’s fortunes.

These are the kinds of players whose work often goes unnoticed externally but who are more than respected by their coaches and teammates and who form the vital ‘building blocks’ of their national teams – the unsung heroes of the squad if you like.

Pham Duc Huy (Vietnam)

In a team surround by star talent, Pham Duc Huy’s contribution to the cause can often go unnoticed.

A versatile attacking threat who is perhaps most at home as a winger or attacking midfielder, in Vietnam’s expected 3-4-3 formation he’s likely to line up as the left-sided midfielder/wingback where he’ll play a vital role in linking attack and defence.

Having caught the eye at this year’s AFC U23 Championship – where he scored a vital goal against Iraq in the quarterfinals – the 23-year-old could be a key cog in the engine room of one of the tournament favourites.

Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (Malaysia)

The Harimau Malaya have struggled to find a consistent scorer at international level but the experienced Norshahrul Idlan Talaha could well be the player to fill that role at the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Having scored previously in the 2014 edition, the 32-year-old – blessed with a an eye for goal and a powerful shot - has impressed in recent training camps and could be the main beneficiary of a youthful midfield that will likely serve up plenty of scoring chances.

Soukaphone Vongchiengkham (Laos)

It’s fair to say that Laos don’t have quite the star power that other nations at the finals do but the one man charged with driving their team forward is Soukaphone Vongchiengkham.

As one of the few players based outside of the nation, the 26-year-old playmaker is a natural leader within the Lao squad and a player that has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates and could be a vital part of any success that the nation may have at the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Brak Thiva (Cambodia)

With a new coaching staff in place at the Angkor Warriors starting spots certainly appear to be up for grabs and one player who has caught the eye in recent outings has been forward Brak Thiva.

The 19-year-old Phnom Penh Crown man is a tall, lithe, forward who is a strong finisher but also a lively creative threat and having started both of Cambodia’s last two friendly matches he’s a good chance of partnering Chan Vathanaka up front in what could be a dangerous but still under-the-radar forward line.

David Htan (Myanmar)

In what’s set to be a youthful looking Myanmar side the experienced central defender David Htan will likely have an important role to play in marshaling a back four against some dangerous Group A forwards.

At 28, Htan has previous AFF Suzuki Cup experience and even though he’s not the tallest of defenders he makes up for that with a good positional sense, reading of the play and an ability to cleanly win one-on-one challenges.