1. Shoya Nakajima
(Japan: 2014, 2016)

Few players, if any, shone as brightly as Shoya Nakajima over the first two editions of the tournament, with the former FC Tokyo man’s stunning goals and fabulous vision lighting up the newly introduced showpiece.

Nakajima helped Japan reach the last eight in 2014 and was then instrumental in the East Asians’ title success two years later as the young Samurai Blue advanced to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the forward was named the Most Valuable Player.

A successful two years in Portugal with Portimonense followed, then Nakajima briefly showcased his talents in the AFC Champions League with Qatar’s Al Duhail in early 2019 before heading back to Portugal to join European giants FC Porto.

Boasting an eye for the spectacular, the 25-year-old is now a regular for Japan's senior team and has registered goals in both the Asian Qualifiers and the Copa America this year as his career continues to go from strength to strength.

2. Almoez Ali
(Qatar: 2016, 2018)

You can take your pick from a number of Qatari players who have performed at U-23 level before going on to achieve stardom, with both Abdelkarim Hassan and Akram Afif appearing in the competition and later being named the AFC Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

But, having been part of the Qatari side that finished fourth on home soil in 2016, Almoez Ali went on to finish as the six-goal top scorer in the 2018 edition as the West Asians came third with a side featuring numerous would-be national heroes.

A year later, Ali was in scintillating form in the United Arab Emirates as he scored a record-breaking nine goals at the AFC Asian Cup to help Qatar stun the Continent and become crowned champions of Asia with a squad brimming with young talent.

The highlight for Ali was a spectacular overhead goal in the final against Japan that will be replayed for years to come, and the 25-year-old Al Duhail striker was another whose name was on the scoresheet in the 2019 Copa America.

3. Chanathip Songkrasin
(Thailand: 2016)

One of the most exciting talents in Asian football, Chanathip Songkrasin starred in the 2016 AFC U23 Championship group stage as Thailand picked up two points from their three games before exiting by virtue of goal difference.

Chanathip, who scored one goal in 2016, had already begun to establish himself at senior level and later that year helped the War Elephants win a second successive AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Championship while also being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for the second edition in a row.

Stellar performances for Muangthong United in the AFC Champions League alerted J.League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and the pocket-sized forward has continued to excel since moving to Japan in 2017.

The 26-year-old was on the scoresheet as Thailand reached the AFC Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time since 1972 earlier in the year and, with the War Elephants currently in a hotly contested Asian Qualifiers group, his form will be key for his country’s chances of progressing to the next round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers. 

4. Alireza Beiranvand
(IR Iran: 2014)

Fans in Oman may not have seen the best of a then 22-year-old Alireza Beiranvand as the Islamic Republic of Iran ultimately exited at the group stage despite picking up four points from three games.

But the Persepolis goalkeeper has gone on to establish himself as one of the finest in his position in Asia with a number of displays that have seen him stand out in the AFC Champions League, the AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA World Cup.

Beiranvand’s finest hour came in saving a penalty from Ronaldo in a 1-1 draw with Portugal at Russia 2018, while later in the year a flying fingertip save denied Al Sadd’s Xavi in front of 100,000 at Azadi Stadium to ensure Persepolis reached a first AFC Champions League final.

In the UAE in early 2019, he made another fabulous penalty save to keep out Oman’s Ahmed Al Muhaijri early on in the Round of 16, and his performances have not gone unrecognised as the 27-year-old was recently among the nominees for the 2019 AFC Player of the Year. 

5. Hwang Hee-chan
(Korea Republic: 2016)

While he didn’t score in the 2016 AFC U23 Championship, Hwang Hee-chan was a key figure in Korea Republic’s march to the 2016 final, before he was ruled out of the final defeat against East Asian rivals Japan.

But Hwang has considerable success in the years since, picking up three successive Austrian Bundesliga titles with Red Bull Salzburg and becoming a regular fixture in Korea Republic’s starting line-up.

While compatriot Son Heung-min tends to grab the headlines in Europe, Hwang – along with Japanese teammate Takumi Minamino – has enjoyed his fair share this year with a string of excellent performances in the UEFA Champions League.

A fine goal against European champions Liverpool was one of a number of highlights in 2019 for the forward and, at 23, the Chuncheon native looks set to remain a key performer for club and country for many years to come. 

6. Omar Khribin
(Syria: 2014, 2016)

The last three AFC Player of the Year winners have all previously appeared in the AFC U23 Championship, with Syria’s Omar Khribin in the Qasioun Eagles' squad in both the 2014 and 2016 editions.

Khribin was part of the Syria side that reached the quarter-finals in 2014 and he then scored three goals in two games in 2016, only for the West Asians to exit at the group stage.

But a year later, the Al Hilal striker netted a tournament-leading 10 goals in the AFC Champions League – including five goals in the semi-final and another in the final – as he was named the 2017 AFC Player of the Year.

That same year, Khribin was also an integral member of the Syrian team that went on a memorable run in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifying campaign before a narrow defeat to Australia and, along with Omar Al Soma, he remains part of one of the strongest strike partnerships in Asian football.

7. Abdullah Otayf
(Saudi Arabia: 2014)

An AFC Champions League winner less than a month ago, Abdullah Otayf was part of the Saudi Arabia team that reached the final of the inaugural edition back in 2014 before losing out to West Asian rivals Iraq.

Since then, Otayf has become key for both Al Hilal and Saudi Arabia as his no-nonsense displays in breaking up play and keeping it simple in the centre of the park allow the more creative talents around him to shine.

Now 27, the Riyadh native is approaching the peak years of his career in an Al Hilal side that were deservedly crowned champions of Asia after defeating Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in November’s final to claim their seventh Continental trophy.

On the international scene, Otayf performed admirably at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and was recently named the Most Valuable Player at the 2019 Gulf Cup, where the Saudis finished as runners-up after a narrow defeat to Bahrain in the final.

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