Son Heung-min may be Korea Republic's poster boy, but Lee Jae-sung, who has proved a success at German side Holstein Kiel since his summer move, can have his moment to shine for the Taeguk Warriors if given the opportunity.

Having been a key part of former side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' success in the AFC Champions League, winning it in 2016, the talented playmaker will now aim for similar glories at the national team level of Asian football.

Date of birth: 10/08/1992
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Holstein Kiel (Germany)
Previous clubs: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Korea Republic)

One of Thailand's most recognised names across the continent, Chanathip has impressed since his move to the J-League 18 months ago. The creative midfielder will be his country's main attacking outlet as they look to make an impression in January.

Nationality: Thailand Date of birth: 05/10/1993 Position: Midfielder Current club: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (Japan) Previous clubs: BEC Tero Sasana, Muangthong United (Both Thailand)

Such is the talent of Bashar Resan, that the now Persepolis midfielder first represented the senior side at his hometown club Air Force Club seven years ago as a 14-year-old.

Resan’s career has already taken him to bigger places, most recently competing in the 2018 AFC Champions League final. Next challenge for the 21-year-old is making his AFC Asian Cup debut with Iraq in January, where he is set to be one of the key players in the Lions of Mesopotamia setup.

Nationality: Iraq Date of birth: 22/12/1996 Position: Midfielder Current club: Persepolis (IR Iran) Previous clubs: Air Force Club (Iraq)

The undisputed icon of Filipino football, with more appearances and more goals for the Azkals than any other player, striker Phil Younghusband's involvement with the Philippines national team goes back to 2006 when he and older brother James made their international bows.

Nationality: The Philippines
Date of birth: 04/08/1987
Position: Striker
Current club: Davao Aguilas (Philippines)
Previous clubs: Meralco Manila, San Beda FC (both Philippines), Esbjerg fB (Denmark), Chelsea (England)

In recent years, Russia-based forward Sardar Azmoun has been where the hype has centred, but that started to change during the 2017-18 season when right-sided midfielder Jahanbakhsh finished as top scorer in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar.

 

Nationality: IR Iran
Date of birth: 11/08/1993
Position: Midfield
Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)
Previous clubs: AZ Alkmaar, NEC (both Netherlands), Damash Gilan, Damash Tehran (both Iran)

If Omar Abdulrahman was the poster boy for the United Arab Emirates’ success in reaching the AFC Asian Cup last time out in Australia, and finishing third, then Ali Mabkhout was the side’s most productive performer.

The Whites’ number 7 was the tournament’s top goalscorer in 2015, bagging five goals in six appearances, including the fastest ever goal in the history of the AFC Asian Cup, scored 14 seconds into the UAE’s group stage match against Bahrain.

The 27-year-old was named CSL player of the year on Wednesday after hitting 27 goals to help Shanghai SIPG to their maiden league title.

The Chinese international was linked over the summer with English Premier League side Wolves, who are owned by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International.