AFC Challenge Cup 2012:Ten players to watch out

Anantasports.blogspot.com brings you a list of 10 players to keep your eye on during the course of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 in Nepal. They could turn out to make that little bit of a difference in the progression from round robin to knockout and from knockout to being the champions. They might just be...

Sunil Chhetri

Age: 27, Nationality: Indian

Having been handed the double edged sword of Indian captaincy right before the Challenge Cup, it will be interesting to see how Sunil Chhetri handles this burden over and above one of the most important tasks on the football pitch, scoring goals. It is very likely that the Delhi born striker who plays his football from East Bengal will lead from the front and do what he best, score and score with eases. But there is always a chance that the sense of occasion and pressure could get to him. All eyes on the captain of India and ofcourse he will be cheered by Nepalese as he is Nepalese origin.

Raju Gaikwad

Age: 21, Nationality: Indian

He is one of India's most promising young defenders. Having received a call up for what is arguably India's most important tournament at the tender age of 21 shows how highly thought of he is. Uncompromising and technically talented at centre back, he has the additional Rory Delap-like ability for seige gun long throws into the box adding another dimension of attacking threat in addition to his defensive ability. He is certainly going to influential if Medeira gives him a starting slot.

Ali Ashfaq 

Age: 26, Nationality: Maldivian

Having opted as the best striker in South Asia, the Maldives captain is in all likelihood the first name on the team sheet. Possessing a little bit of everything, good pace, dribbling, agility, a powerful and accurate shot and the ability to play with his back towards goal, he is a well rounded striking force. However, having just come back after an injury layoff may see him a bit ring rusty. His form certainly has to be looked at if Maldives are to progress to the knockout stages. Though he missed his first game he will appear as lion against Nepal.

Phil Younghusband


Age: 24, Nationality: English–Filipino

He is one of the few players in the tournament who have European experience, however little. Having been on the books of Chelsea's youth team not too long ago along with his brother and international team mate James, the English-Filipino Younghusband is a dangerous presence in the right side of midfield. Having had stints with a few lower division clubs in England before returning to the Philippines. And at 24 years of age, he has the perfect blend of youth and experience to add that extra 10% in midfield.

Neil Etheridge

Age: 22, Nationality: English–Filipino

Another English-Filipino to watch out for is Fulham's current reserve goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. While he doesn't have too many club games under his belt, it is only because of the advantage and disadvantage of having Mark Schwarzer in the side. While he must be learning more than any goalkeeper his age under the experience Aussie, he doesn't get too many games. He is still immense for his national side, though, having become their first choice keeper at the age of 17 and still being better than their best.

Rohit Chand (Right)


Age: 20, Nationality: Nepali

According to national team coach Graham Roberts, the 20 year old Rohit Chand would fit into sides like his former club Tottenham or even their rivals Arsenal. Instead, he is currently plying his trade with I-League strugglers HAL. But he has been one of the few bright sparks in HAL's disappointing season. With a cool head that belies his age, David Luiz could take a few lessons in composure from this Asian superstar-to-be. Rest assured, he will be crucial at the heart of Nepal's defence.

Wahyt Orazsähedow

Age: 20, Nationality: Turkmenistani

The young talent is currently under the Rubin Kazan setup and certainly has a big future ahead of him. Playing for one of the current big names in Russia, he has a level of training most others would be hard pressed to match. Yet to make a significant mark in the national team, the Challenge Cup will arguably the best possible platform to show Asia what he's can do up front.

Fahed Attal

Age: 27, Nationality: Palestinian

When you possess the quality of Fahed Attal, you can make things happen. His sheer experience is a bonus for the squad, with his vision and intelligence integral to their progress in attack. But with 13 international goals to his name, three behind all-time top scorer Ziyad Al-Kord, the 27 year old striker will surely look at the tournament as an opportunity to come closer to breaking that record.

Yusuf Rabiev

Age: 35, Nationality: Tajik

A dangerous attacker in every sense of the term, Tajikistan's all time top scorer is the kind who you could say, scores goals for fun. WIth fifteen goals in his international kitty, he would be looking to pull far ahead of any poential competition for his goalscoring crown in this tournament. Having bagged a hat-trick against Afghanistan in their title winning 2008 campaign, no one needs reminding of his quality in the tournament. But with age catching up, the question remains as to whether he can replicate that quality this time.

Park Song-Chol

Age: 24, Nationality: DPR Korea

Having won 25 caps already by the tender age of 24, Park Song-Chol is an essential constituent of DPR Korea's midfield, but his work rate often goes unnoticed. Unitl he scores a goal, that is, and he is quite handy with that, having scored eight international goals already. And DPR Korea will certainly be hoping he keeps scoring in this tournament as well, seeing he has to his name the unusual statistic of his country winning the tie whenever he has scored.