Whilst there will be more than 200 players, a fleet of backroom staff and dozens of officials all having a say in the outcome of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup perhaps no group is as important as the eleven coaches who will take charge of the finalists.

Across the two groups there are three locals who will guide their national teams at the regional showpiece (Malaysia’s Tan Cheng Hoe, Indonesia’s Bima Sakti & Singapore’s Fandi Ahmad) and with V.Sundramoorthy in charge of Laos it means that close to half the nations will be led by Southeast Asian coaches.

Focusing firstly on Group A, Cambodia is in the unusual situation of having to split duties between two first-time head coaches with Keisuke Honda likely to only be involved for the Angkor Warriors second and third fixtures meaning that 30-year-old Felix Dalmas will become one of the youngest head coaches in the history of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

At the other end of the scale is Vietnam’s Korean tactician, 59-year-old Park Hang-seo, who is the second oldest of the men in charge at the tournament in a section where three different continents will be represented (Asia, Europe & South America).

Recently appointed Laos coach, V.Sundramoorthy, is the only man to have previously coached at the tournament after his spell in charge of his native Singapore at the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup whilst Honda is the first active player from a different nation to lead a team in the history of the competition.

Plenty of intrigue then around the five Group A coaches who we meet below.

Vietnam – Park Hang-seo

A highly regarded tactician and disciplinarian, the vastly experienced Korean coach will take Vietnam to his homeland to fine-tune their preparations for the tournament where they will be one of the title favourites.

Has placed faith in the younger generation who he has also coached since his appointment in October last year and wants his players to be at their physical, as well as tactical best, come early November.

Name: Park Hang-seo

Age: 59

Nationality: Korea Republic

Appointed: 2017

Career Highlights: Two-time K.League 2 winner with Sangju Sangmu (2013, 2015), 2018 AFC U23 Championship runner-up (Vietnam)

Did you know? Park was the assistant coach to Dutch legend Guus Hiddink with Korea Republic at the 2002 FIFA World Cup where the nation reached the semifinals; the best ever finish for an AFC nation.

Malaysia – Tan Cheng Hoe

Having spent extensive time as a national assistant coach at both youth and senior level, a stellar period in charge of club side, Kedah, saw the 50-year-old appointed to the national post last year.

He’s garnered a well-earned reputation for wanting to play up-tempo, attacking football and has promised to bring that style with him in charge of the Harimau Malaya.

Name: Tan Cheng Hoe

Age: 50

Nationality: Malaysia

Appointed: 2017

Career Highlights: 2016 Malaysia Cup winner (Kedah), 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup champion (assistant coach)

Did you know? A self-confessed music fan, Cheng Hoe isn’t though into rap or hard rock but rather lists his favourite artist as Hong Kong star Emil Chau, a prolific singer who has released more than 40 albums to date.

Myanmar – Antoine Hey

48-year-old Hey continues the recent German tradition in Myanmar as he follows Gerd Zeise into the top job at the Asian Lions.

With vast experience coaching at national team level in Africa, this will be his first tilt in Asian football where he is also in charge of the Myanmar U23 side.

Name: Antoine Hey

Age: 48

Nationality: Germany

Appointed: 2018

Career Highlights: Head coach at six different national teams (Lesotho, Gambia, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda and now Myanmar).

Did you know? His father, Jonny, was also a football player in their native Germany and enjoyed a 15-year playing career with numerous clubs (including a three-year stint in Switzerland with Grasshoppers) from 1968-1983.

Cambodia - Keisuke Honda/Felix Dalmas

In a move rarely seen in world football Cambodia have appointed a current player (from a different nation) in the form of Asian superstar Keisuke Honda to guide their footballing future.

Given that the 32-year-old though can only join the squad in the FIFA window from November 12-20 due to his playing commitments with Melbourne City in Australia, he’ll lean heavily on 30-year-old coach Felix Dalmas who will be hoping to impress in his first senior post.

Name(s): Keisuke Honda/Felix Dalmas

Age: 32/30

Nationality: Japan/Argentina

Appointed: 2018

Career Highlights: This will be the first coaching experience at senior level for both Honda and Dalmas but as a player Honda has had a stellar career winning titles in the Netherlands, Russia and Italy as well as the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with Japan.

Did you know? Dalmas is linked to Honda through his time as a player in the amateur leagues in Japan where he spent four seasons playing for club teams in the Kyoto region from 2010-2013.

Laos – V.Sundramoorthy

The only Southeast Asian coach to take charge of a different nation at the finals, Laos will be hoping that the vastly experienced coach and former player can work wonders with their young squad.

Having experience in coaching at the finals (he took charge of Singapore in 2016) the 53-year-old certainly knows what’s required to be successful on the regional stage and he’s promised that Laos will show ‘unity and belief’ when things get underway in a little over two weeks time.

Name: V.Sundramoorthy

Age: 53

Nationality: Singapore

Appointed: 2018

Career Highlights: 2013 Malaysia Super League champion (LionsXII)

Did you know? Known as the ‘dazzler’ during his playing days as an electric attacking playmaker, Sundram had a book published detailing his playing career that was also titled ‘The Dazzler’ back in 1994.

Photos: Getty Images, Myanmar Football Federation