ASEAN Cup 2026: Stars to Watch in the Semifinals

Nguyen Dinh Bac is the highest-rated player among the seven stars progressing to the semifinals, with a score of 8.05. The forward, born in 2004, is also the only striker on this list. Dinh Bac started the ASEAN Cup 2026 impressively, scoring a brace and providing an assist in the victory over Timor Leste.

After two consecutive matches without scoring against Singapore and Indonesia, Dinh Bac rediscovered his goal-scoring touch in the final group stage match, netting a brace against Cambodia. The striker, who plays for Hanoi Police FC, was also named Man of the Match in the victories over Timor Leste and Cambodia.

With five goals and one assist, Dinh Bac currently leads the list of Vietnam's players with goal involvements at the ASEAN Cup 2026. His performance in the final group match is seen as a positive preparation in terms of form and mentality for the knockout stage.

Right behind Dinh Bac among the players advancing to the semifinals is Le Pham Thanh Long, with a score of 7.8. The midfielder, born in 1996, started the tournament quietly, not being used in the match against Timor Leste and only coming on as a substitute in the 90+2 minute against Singapore.

However, Thanh Long made his mark as the tournament progressed. In the last two group matches, the Hanoi Police FC midfielder provided an assist in each game, while also performing well in playmaking, tempo control, and defensive support. He currently leads the Vietnam team in accurate long passes, averaging 5.7 per match.

Another key figure in Vietnam's midfield is Nguyen Hoang Duc, with a Sofascore rating of 7.65. The midfielder, born in 1998, leads the entire tournament in assists with four, and also tops the Vietnam team in chances created and key passes per match.

Hoang Duc is not only outstanding in assists but also actively contributes to defense. He leads the Vietnam team in successful tackles, averaging 2.2 per match. His wide movement and constant activity make him one of the most important links in the team's play.

The three highest Sofascore-rated players among the teams in the semifinals all belong to Vietnam. Right behind them is Thailand's Sarach Yooyen with 7.63 points.

At 34 years old, Sarach still plays a vital role in Thailand's midfield. He leads the entire tournament in accurate passes, averaging 60 passes per match with a 92% accuracy rate. Sarach also contributed two goals and one assist in the group stage. In a Thailand squad featuring many young players, Sarach's experience is considered a key factor in helping the team control the midfield. The midfielder also holds the record of four AFF Cup titles.

Another notable Thai player is Kakana Khamyok, with a score of 7.43. The 22-year-old midfielder scored two goals and provided one assist in the group stage. Notably, although registered as a midfielder, Kakana was deployed as a center-forward in matches against Laos and Malaysia. He often drops deep to connect with the midfield, thereby adding flexibility to the attacking system.

The remaining name among the seven standout players is Malaysia's Sergio Aguero, rated 7.4. The naturalized player from Argentina plays a key role in Malaysia's attacking organization. He leads Malaysia in key passes with seven and has 92 accurate passes in the opponent's half. According to sports data analytics company Mid Block, Aguero is the "creative engine" in Malaysia's play, and the team can create scoring chances if the naturalized midfielder has space to handle the ball.

The above statistics show that the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals promise to be a showdown of many players in top form. For the Vietnam team, the brilliance of Dinh Bac, Thanh Long, and Hoang Duc will play a crucial role in their goal of defending the regional championship.