One of the highlights of any major international tournament is the anticipation of just which young stars will announce themselves to a wider audience.

The AFF Championship has a long and proud history of being the stage on which the next generation of players have blossomed with those such as Nguyen Quang Hai, Pratama Arhan, Ikhsan Fandi and Kritsada Kaman all emerging as bona fide stars over the past couple of editions.

No doubt there will be another crop of starlets to emerge from the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup and here we have a look at five who may have a real impact for their national teams over the coming month of action.

Make sure to vote as to which player you think will have the greatest impact.

Witan Sulaeman (Indonesia)

Witan Sulaeman enjoyed a breakout 2021 and was one of many young Indonesian stars at the previous AFF Championship when his performances on the wing helped the Garuda advance to a sixth final.

He netted goals against Laos and, crucially, in the semi-final win over Singapore, and the Slovakia-based 21-year-old returns to the competition looking to help his nation win the title for the first time. 

Sieng Chanthea (Cambodia)

Part of a wave of talented Cambodia youngsters, 20-year-old Sieng Chanthea has long been a star of the Cambodian youth teams and is now on the verge of being a key starter for the senior side.

Named in the Best XI of the domestic league for his exploits with his local side, Boeung Ket, the striker enters the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup riding a wave of confidence and will likely spearhead the Koupreys bid for a first-ever place in the knockout rounds.

Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

The latest off the production line of Fandi siblings, Ilhan is looking to follow in the footsteps of his brothers, Irfan and Ikhsan, in establishing himself as a key part of the Singapore set-up.

Having just inked a deal to move to Belgium to continue his club career it’s clear that the 20-year-old striker is very much a young star on the rise and he could well end up partnering Ikhsan up front for the Lions for years to come.

Mukhairi Ajmal (Malaysia)

One of the best young talents in Malaysian football, Mukhairi Ajmal only turned 21 last month but is already in line to make his debut at a major international tournament at the upcoming 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.  

Primarily a central midfielder but also capable of playing as a winger, Mukhairi was nominated recently for the Best Young Player award in his homeland and will be looking to bring his silky control and passing range to the regional table as Malaysia chase their second AFF Championship title.

Khuat Van Khang (Vietnam)

The youngest player on this list at just 19 years of age, Khuat Van Khang is pushing hard to get a spot in Vietnam’s squad under a coach that tends to prefer going with more experienced options.

If there is a nod to the future though then this hugely talented attacking midfielder/forward could well be in line to make a real name for himself at the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

Regarded as the most promising of the next crop of Vietnamese youngsters, the left-footer is very much in the mould of a young Nguyen Quang Hai and will be looking to showcase his fine close control, passing and crossing should he make the final cut.

Poll will end on Monday, December 19 at 18:00 SGT