After a group stage laden with goals the defensive efforts of several teams saw them do well in the knockout stage where the five matches produced four clean sheets.

With Thailand having conceded just the once in the entire tournament it’s little surprise that they headline our list of seven nominations with players from Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore also featuring.

Make sure to vote now for who you think should be crowned the Best Defender at the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup.

Pratama Arhan (Indonesia)

Suspended for the first leg of the final, Indonesia dearly missed their vibrant young leftback as they were torn apart by Thailand.

Another in this wave of Garuda starlets, the 20-year-old has proved to be a key threat in the final third where he’s played nine key passes, scored two goals and provided two assists in his five starts.

Defensively sound, comfortable on the ball and in the tackle, Pratama has been a revelation at the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup.

Theerathon Bunmathan (Thailand)

A late arrival to the tournament, suspension and rotation have limited Theerathon to just four starts but in those appearances he’s been one of Thailand’s key performers.

With an amazing ten key passes and an assist, the 31-year-old has shown just how much the attacking side of his game continues to grow whilst, as always, he’s been a reliable presence defensively with nine clearances and four interceptions as well as being a serious threat from dead-ball situations.

Safuwan Baharudin (Singapore)

A rock at the back for a Singapore side that reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2012, the 30-year-old central defender was efficient in his tackling and passing, strong in his positioning and reading of the play.

His 25 clearances are the third highest at the tournament whilst he also chipped in with two assists and a goal at the other end of the pitch. 

Kritsada Kaman (Thailand)

At the heart of a Thailand team that has conceded just one goal in seven matches at the tournament, Kritsada has been a dominant presence.

It’s remarkable to think that the 22-year-old only made his international debut this month at the AFF Suzuki Cup, where he’s made 18 clearances and 15 interceptions and has been strong both in his passing from the back and tackling. 

Asnawi Mangkualam (Indonesia)

The Indonesian captain shone brightly in both defence and attack on the Garuda's run to the final, with his bursts forward causing opposition backlines endless problems, most notably when he teed up a memorable team goal for Witan Sulaeman against Singapore in the first leg of the semi-final. 

With ten key passes, a goal and an assist he offered plenty going forward whilst contributing 12 clearances and ten interceptions in a strong defensive outing from a player who led by example for his nation. 

Que Ngoc Hai (Vietnam)

Long having gained a reputation for being a defensive powerhouse, the Golden Star Warriors conceded only two goals across the six matches they played at the tournament but those two were enough to see them bundled out by Thailand in the semi-finals. 

With the four options for the three central defensive spots in Vietnam’s backline each having started five matches it’s hard to pick one clear standout but the captain Ngoc Hai gets the slight nod. In addition to being strong on the ball and in his overall positioning and reading of the play he also had the highest number of interceptions and blocks in another strong tournament.

Narubadin Weerawatnodom (Thailand)

A dynamic threat on the right flank for Thailand where he’s been sound in his defensive work and also a highly reliable outlet when pushing forward.

Nine chances created, six key passes and three assists in the five starts he’s made show his genuine threat in the final third whilst the four interceptions and two blocks he has also speak highly to his defensive work.