SUPHANAT MUEANTA HAS GONE FROM TEENAGE PRODIGY TO THAILAND'S MAIN MAN AT JUST 22

Still only 22, Suphanat Mueanta has emerged as Thailand's most-influential player in their quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive ASEAN Championship title. Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Suphanat Mueanta has always been destined for big things -- from the time he became the youngest player to both debut and then score in Thai League 1 at the age of 15.

A year later, in 2019, he would set a similar record on the continental stage - becoming the AFC Champions League's youngest scorer at just 16 years and eight months.

Many a prodigious talent has however failed in living up to their full potential. That will not be the case with Suphanat.

Still only 22, the fleet-footed attacker recently returned to Buriram United after a loan stint in Europe with OH Leuven.

The fact that he did not make a real breakthrough might led some to suggest it was a failed spell but the exposure he received would have been invaluable, especially considering he did make 14 appearances in the Belgian Pro League.

It will be intriguing to see what the future holds for Suphanat, who should be aiming to continue developing at a higher level than in Thailand. Following in the footsteps of older brother Supachok Sarachat -- who has spent the last two and a half years with Consadole Sapporo -- and venturing to Japan's J1 League seems a logical move.

In the present, though, his focus is firmly fixed on helping Thailand win a record-extending 8th ASEAN Championship title.

And despite his relative youth, his undeniable quality and the fact that he has been around for a while now mean he is even playing the role of main man -- in an talented but inexperienced Thailand outfit missing some notable names in Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda.

The added responsibility has hardly fazed him.

With victories over Timor-Leste, Malaysia and Singapore, the War Elephants are already guaranted top spot -- and a semifinal berth -- ahead of Friday's Group A finale against Cambodia.

Remarkably, Suphanat has been named Player of the Match in each match and already has three goals in as many games.

He is already the early frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player award, which would see him emulate compatriots Kiatisuk Senamuang (2000), Therdsak Chaiman (2002), Chanathip (2014, 2016, 2020) and Theerathon (2022) -- who are all Thai greats in their own right.

Curiously, although his senior international debut was back in 2019, this is Suphanat's first ASEAN Championship -- although he did feature in the AFC Asian Cup at the start of the year and has notably scored against powerhouses like South Korea and United Arab Emirates in the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.

But when asked how he felt about the leading role he is playing in the side despite his tender years, Suphanat instead pivoted to the importance of an even contribution from the entire squad.

"I feel everyone in the team is trying to communicate with each other," he told ESPN.

"Everyone is friendly to each other [regardless of age or experience].

"Having this feeling that we are a family is very important for us going forward."

Thailand have certainly been happy to share the workload with their 15 goals coming from seven different scorers, including three each for Suphanat, Patrik Gustavsson and Teerasak Poeiphimai.

Gustavsson's ability to battle away as the focal point in attack has enabled Suphanat to deal plenty of damage from the right, while Teerasak's ability to make an impact from the bench could even see him rewarded with a start against Cambodia.

Further back, captain Pansa Hemviboon provides the assurance in defence, while Peeradon Chamratsamee and Weerathep Pomphan are key lynchpins in the engine room.

Thailand may not be at their best but they are still a formidable outfit.

There is every chance they could go all the way again and win an unprecedented third consecutive title.

If they do so, it is almost certain that Suphanat -- whether he wants the spotlight or not -- would have been the main man behind the success.

- Gabriel Tan

VISSEL KOBE, YOKOHAMA F. MARINOS AWAKEN FROM SLUMBER IN AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE

After disappointing starts to the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite campaign, Japanese outfits Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F. Marinos both picked up their opening victories on Wednesday. Paul Miller/Getty Images

 Suffice to say, the opening round of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite did not go according to plan for two of the J1 League's representatives.

Expected to go far in the tournament, Yokohama F. Marinos - runners-up last season - fell to a shocking 7-3 loss to debutants Gwangju FC, while Vissel Kobe could only muster a 0-0 draw away to Thailand's Buriram United.

Kawasaki Frontale were the only side to give Japanese football any joy a fortnight ago but, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat of their own to Gwangju on Tuesday, it was time for their compatriots to get their respective campaigns up and running the following evening.

Up against a Shandong Taishan outfit who impressed in a 3-1 victory over Central Coast Mariners last time out, Vissel took a 14th-minute lead when Taisei Miyashiro climbed highest inside the area to head home a Takahiro Ogihara freekick although the visitors would respond through a Cryzan strike two minutes before the half-hour mark.

Nonetheless, six minutes after the restart, as he found space on the edge of the area, Gōtoku Sakai would net what proved to be the winner with a speculative effort that took a wicked deflection before looping into the back of the net over a hapless Wang Dalei.

There may have been a touch of fortune in the manner in which they grabbed the decisive goal for a 2-1 triumph, but there was still an impressive level of professionalism shown by Vissel as they managed the contest -- especially in the closing stages when tempers boiled over and threatened to evolve into something ugly.

A brutal challenge by Gao Zhunyi on Jean Patric -- as the Vissel substitute looked to wind the clock down by the corner flag -- was bad enough as it is, but he then angered the hosts further as he stood over his fallen opponent and mouthed off at him.

The flashpoint led to both benches spilling onto the field with Shandong coach Choi Kang-Hee, and not Gao, seemingly shown a red card shortly after.

Even when play looked set to resume a prolonged delay, Vissel defender Matheus Thuler then decided to reignite the argument with the Shandong bench -- earning himself a caution.

With Choi refusing to leave his seat, the game was halted again and -- as it entered its 105th minute -- the fact that the referee blew the final whistle immediately after it restarted further incensed the Shandong contingent as they stormed onto the pitch to confront the match officials, who needed had to be kept at arm's length by technical staff.

Sakai, already the hero on the scoresheet, was also an example of maturity to follow as urged his teammates to head off the playing area as quickly as possible to avoid further drama -- having earlier restrained Thuler, possibly saving the Brazilian from getting sent off.

There was far less drama and tension 580 kilometres away over in Yokohama but an equal amount of excitement, aside for the travelling Ulsan HD contingent as their team were put to the sword in an emphatic 4-0 win for Marinos.

After Kota Watanabe had handed them the lead as early as the fourth minute, Marinos were always in control after Takuma Nishimura doubled their advantage a minute before the break.

And as the game entered its closing stages and Ulsan began to push more players forward in search of a response, Marinos would twice hit them on the counter -- with Anderson Lopes and Kota Mizunuma applying the finishing touches -- to round off a comprehensive victory.

They may not have began their ACL Elite campaigns in the best possible way.

But, even as they did so in contrasting fashion, both Vissel and Marinos look to have awoken from their slumber.

- Gabriel Tan