HÀ NỘI – Midfielder Phan Thanh Hậu is among 10 rising stars to watch at the inaugural Nations Cup in Malacca, Malaysia, on June 3-5, the prestigious website fourfourtwo.com announced.

Hậu, a product of the Hoàng Anh Gia Lai-Arsenal-JMG Academy, is often picked to play for older age-group teams, due to his talent.

In 2013, at just 16 years old, Hậu was called up to the Việt Nam U19 squad for AFC qualifiers. He only played one game. But his performance led the Guardian, an English newspaper, to name him among the 40 best young football talents in the world born in 1997.

“Hậu made his first-team debut for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai last year against Đồng Tháp. He went on to make eight appearances. At 170cm tall, he does not have the best build overall, but his lethal left-foot can create space during attacks,” said the website.

The website also named nine other footballers to watch, such as Chaowat Veerachart, Chenrop Samphaodi, Thanasit Siriphala of Thailand, Dominic Tan of Malaysia, and Joshua Pereria of Singapore.

The Cup has attracted four teams, including Thailand, the host Malaysia, Singapore and Việt Nam.

Việt Nam will play Thailand and Malaysia will face Singapore at Malacca’s Hang Jebat Stadium.

The two winning teams will meet in the final match, and the two losing teams will compete for the bronze medal at Hang Jebat Stadium. — VNS