Vietnamese striker Nguyen Tien Linh (Photo: Goal.com)

The AFC also picked an Emirati striker, a North Korean midfielder, and a goalkeeper from Jordan, as potential stars of the tournament in Thailand.

Linh is a young player who has already excelled at the senior level, the article said. The player of three-times V.League 1 champions Becamex Binh Duong was a member of the national team which reached the quarter-finals at the last Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. He played a key role in his club's appearance at the AFC Cup knockout stage. He scored a goal in a clash between Vietnam and the UAE during their 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Vietnam will play its first match in the tournament against the UAE next Friday.