Nguyen Quang Hai (Vietnam)

According to FourFourTwo, Nguyen Quang Hai was a key figure in Vietnam's side that won the bronze medal at the 2016 AFC Under-19 Championship. He is also a regular scorer and has scored important goals for the Vietnam Under-22s. Hai got off the mark for the senior team against Cambodia in the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers in September too.

Jakkit Wechpirom (Thailand)

The right-sided midfielder was next to join Chanathip in Japan when he signed with FC Tokyo in July after a successful trial. Jakkit was also part of the Thailand squad that won the AFF Under-19 Championship in 2015.

Akhyar Rashid (Malaysia)

Almost unheard of before 2017, Akhyar is showing signs that he could be the next big thing in Malaysia as he made plenty of heads turn. At 18, he is the youngest player nominated for this award.

Kevin Deeromram (Thailand)

The 20-year-old left-back is starting to make Thailand take notice of his talent. Born and bred in Stockholm, the former Sweden under-19 defender moved to his motherland of Thailand to join Ratchaburi Mitr Phol.

Safawi Rasid (Malaysia)

The 20-year-old Safawi has had two eye-catching seasons now. His first was at T-Team in 2016, earning him a move to Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta'zim. Though not a regular with the Southern Tigers, the left-sided attacker was a key player for the Malaysia Under-22 squad at the 2017 SEA Games, where he scored two goals and threatened to get more on many occasions as Ong Kim Swee’s men played bridesmaids to Thailand.