The 2014 AFF Championship has ended. The young squad of Thailand claimed their 4th South East Asian title after beating Malaysia 4-3 on aggregate in the finals. The success brought Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang as the first earthling to win the title as both player and coach.
Based on statistical data that we’ve collected throughout the whole 16 matches, we came up with our own Best Team of the Competition. Here it is (click on image to enlarge):
First Team
GK – Kawin Thamsatchanan (Thailand)
The Thai goalkeeper deserved to be the number one under the bar. His leadership as captain who calmed down his teammates is a plus.
| Matches Played | 6 | Save Success Rate | 72% |
| Playing Minutes | 540 | Intecepts | 5 |
| Goals Conceded | 6 | Saves | 18 |
| Goal Against Average | 1 |
RB – Narubadin Weerawatnodom (Thailand)
The youngest member of the champions’ squad showed no heebie-jeebies on his performance. He incorporated Kiatisuk’s attacking philosophy with an energetic and disciplined charging movements upfront.
| Matches Played | 5 | Successful Crosses | 15 | Successful Tackles | 22 |
| Playing Minutes | 450 | Crossing Accuracy | 26.67% | Tackle Success Rate | 91.67% |
| Successful Passes | 139 | Successful Dribbles | 2 | Intercepts | 8 |
| Passing Accuracy | 70.56% | Dribble Success Rate | 66.7% | Clearances | 21 |
CB – Tanaboon Kesarat (Thailand)
He displayed a strong and discipline defensive play despite his young age. He made a good partnership with Suttinun Phukhom in front of Kawin to keep opponents’ attack at bay.
| Matches Played | 7 | Successful Headers | 55 | Intercepts | 28 |
| Playing Minutes | 630 | Header Success Rate | 83.3% | Clearances | 44 |
| Successful Passes | 117 | Successful Tackles | 24 | Fouls Committed | 4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 73.13% | Tackle Success Rate | 85.7% | Yellow Cards | 1 |
CB – Amani Aguinaldo (Philippines)
The youngest member of our selection, teenaged Aguinaldo was a rock solid defender for his age. Surely, his best is yet to come.
| Matches Played | 5 | Successful Headers | 41 | Intercepts | 19 |
| Playing Minutes | 450 | Header Success Rate | 78.8% | Clearances | 29 |
| Successful Passes | 180 | Successful Tackles | 16 | Fouls Committed | 5 |
| Passing Accuracy | 85.3% | Tackle Success Rate | 72.7% | Yellow Cards | 0 |
LB – Zubir Azmi (Malaysia)
An expeditious left full back with pace and agility. He made Indra Putra’s job easier both offensively and defensively.
| Matches Played | 7 | Successful Crosses | 8 | Successful Tackles | 22 |
| Playing Minutes | 630 | Crossing Accuracy | 50% | Tackle Success Rate | 55% |
| Successful Passes | 117 | Successful Dribbles | 4 | Intercepts | 9 |
| Passing Accuracy | 73.13% | Dribble Success Rate | 50% | Clearances | 27 |
CMF – Charyl Chappuis (Thailand)
His technique combined with versatility made him a complete midfielder. The Swiss-born player made a good job connecting Thailand’s defense and offense in the midfield. Also, he’s a quite the womanizer.
| Matches Played | 6 | Shots On Target | 5 | Successful Tackles | 4 |
| Playing Minutes | 540 | Shots Off Target | 6 | Tackle Success Rate | 36.4% |
| Goals Scored | 4 | Shots Blocked | 4 | Intercepts | 3 |
| Assists | 1 | Shot Accuracy | 45.5% | Fouls Committed | 5 |
| Successful Passes | 213 | Successful Headers | 19 | Fouls Suffered | 6 |
| Passing Accuracy | 76.9% | Header Success Rate | 52.8% | Yellow Cards | 2 |
CMF – Safiq Rahim (Malaysia)
Top scorer of the competition with 6 goals and 100% shot accuracy, despite the fact that 4 of them came from the spot. He reached his maturity in this edition of AFF Championship, and he delivered his best. Trophy is the only thing missing from his contribution.
| Matches Played | 7 | Shots On Target | 6 | Successful Tackles | 10 |
| Playing Minutes | 561 | Shots Off Target | 0 | Tackle Success Rate | 34.5% |
| Goals Scored | 6 | Shots Blocked | 3 | Intercepts | 6 |
| Assists | 1 | Shot Accuracy | 100% | Fouls Committed | 11 |
| Successful Passes | 227 | Successful Headers | 16 | Fouls Suffered | 4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 79.9% | Header Success Rate | 76.2% | Yellow Cards | 1 |
RMF – Amri Yahyah (Malaysia)
With many experience, Amri showed that he still has something left to proof to the national team. He surely knew the right thing to do in the right timing. 4 yellow cards maybe signify that he lacked of discipline, but that could also mean that he’s willing to take the risk for the best interest of his team.
| Matches Played | 6 | Shots On Target | 5 | Successful Tackles | 8 |
| Playing Minutes | 525 | Shots Off Target | 7 | Tackle Success Rate | 47.1% |
| Goals Scored | 1 | Shots Blocked | 0 | Successful Crosses | 14 |
| Assists | 2 | Shot Accuracy | 41.8% | Crossing Accuracy | 42.9% |
| Successful Passes | 91 | Successful Dribbles | 0 | Chances Created | 4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 59.5% | Dribble Success Rate | - |
LMF – Kroekrit Thawikan (Thailand)
Throughout the competition, Thawikan was one of the “Right man, in the right place and in the right time” type of player. His 3 goals in the knockout stage surely had major impact for Thailand’s triumph.
| Matches Played | 6 | Shots On Target | 6 | Successful Tackles | 9 |
| Playing Minutes | 530 | Shots Off Target | 5 | Tackle Success Rate | 56.3% |
| Goals Scored | 3 | Shots Blocked | 2 | Successful Crosses | 28 |
| Assists | 0 | Shot Accuracy | 54.5% | Crossing Accuracy | 14.3% |
| Successful Passes | 194 | Successful Dribbles | 2 | Chances Created | 5 |
| Passing Accuracy | 73.5% | Dribble Success Rate | 66.7% |
AMF – Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand)
We have a lot to tell of this remarkable young talent. The Best Player award that he won represents his instrumental role on his team’s campaign. Can’t wait to see what he becomes in the years to come.
| Matches Played | 6 | Shots On Target | 5 | Lose Ball | 36 |
| Playing Minutes | 476 | Shots Off Target | 6 | Fouls Committed | 4 |
| Goals Scored | 2 | Shots Blocked | 5 | Fouls Suffered | 11 |
| Assists | 2 | Shot Accuracy | 45.5% | ||
| Successful Passes | 222 | Successful Dribbles | 19 | ||
| Passing Accuracy | 86.1% | Dribble Success Rate | 67.9% |
CF – Le Cong Vinh (Vietnam)
Cong Vinh goal-scoring expertise always came in handy for Vietnam, including in this competition. He only missed to score in the first leg semifinal, but his movement and one-touch play always had something of a threat towards the Malaysian defense. After all, he is the most productive striker in the competition.
| Matches Played | 5 | Shots On Target | 10 | Successful Headers | 20 |
| Playing Minutes | 387 | Shots Off Target | 3 | Headers Success Rate | 40% |
| Goals Scored | 4 | Shots Blocked | 6 | Fouls Suffered | 5 |
| Assists | 1 | Shot Accuracy | 76.9% | Offsides | 7 |
| Successful Passes | 115 | Successful Dribbles | 4 | Lose Ball | 19 |
| Passing Accuracy | 79.3% | Dribble Success Rate | 57.1% |
Substitutions
GK – Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Malaysia)
He has the most saves in the competition. However, his absence in Malaysia’s last 3 matches has stopped him to make even more saves. We were quite sure that he would’ve made different outcome for Malaysia in the second leg final.
| Matches Played | 4 | Save Success Rate | 77% |
| Playing Minutes | 360 | Intecepts | 5 |
| Goals Conceded | 5 | Saves | 21 |
| Goal Against Average | 1.25 |
SB – Peerapat Notechaiya (Thailand)
Just like his compatriot on the right, Peerapat was quite helpful in Thailand’s attack and defense. He liked to play safe during defense as he never committed any foul in the competition.
| Matches Played | 6 | Successful Crosses | 6 | Successful Tackles | 18 |
| Playing Minutes | 454 | Crossing Accuracy | 33.3% | Tackle Success Rate | 72% |
| Successful Passes | 169 | Successful Dribbles | 2 | Intercepts | 8 |
| Passing Accuracy | 77.1% | Dribble Success Rate | 33.3% | Clearances | 13 |
CB – Shukor Adan (Malaysia)
The oldest member of the team who showed his experienced quality in Malaysia’s defense. He covered his slowing-down pace with well-timed and intimidating challenge. He also scored a goal that brought Malaysia to the finals.
| Matches Played | 6 | Successful Headers | 58 | Intercepts | 19 |
| Playing Minutes | 524 | Header Success Rate | 80.6% | Clearances | 15 |
| Successful Passes | 138 | Successful Tackles | 15 | Fouls Committed | 16 |
| Passing Accuracy | 68.3% | Tackle Success Rate | 57.7% | Yellow Cards | 2 |
CB – Suttinun Phukhom (Thailand)
He played double role on Thailand’s defense in the competition: first, as a stick-marking and strong defender, and second, as a big-brother figure for his younger partner Tanaboon.
| Matches Played | 6 | Successful Headers | 43 | Intercepts | 20 |
| Playing Minutes | 466 | Header Success Rate | 70.5% | Clearances | 30 |
| Successful Passes | 92 | Successful Tackles | 4 | Fouls Committed | 4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 69.7% | Tackle Success Rate | 40% | Yellow Cards | 0 |
MF – Sarach Yooyen (Thailand)
Tireless midfielder who always tried to win every ball from his oppositions. He played a pretty good job as “regista” for Chanathip.
| Matches Played | 6 | Shots On Target | 3 | Successful Tackles | 17 |
| Playing Minutes | 539 | Shots Off Target | 9 | Tackle Success Rate | 54.8% |
| Goals Scored | 0 | Shots Blocked | 3 | Intercepts | 14 |
| Assists | 1 | Shot Accuracy | 25% | Fouls Committed | 6 |
| Successful Passes | 307 | Successful Headers | 20 | Fouls Suffered | 5 |
| Passing Accuracy | 89.7% | Header Success Rate | 64.3% | Yellow Cards | 1 |
SMF – Pham Thanh Luong (Vietnam)
An all-over-the-place winger who kept on tiring his marker. He can play on both sides, which is a plus.
| Matches Played | 5 | Shots On Target | 3 | Successful Tackles | 8 |
| Playing Minutes | 334 | Shots Off Target | 6 | Tackle Success Rate | 72.7% |
| Goals Scored | 1 | Shots Blocked | 2 | Successful Crosses | 36 |
| Assists | 0 | Shot Accuracy | 33.3% | Crossing Accuracy | 27.8% |
| Successful Passes | 151 | Successful Dribbles | 7 | Chances Created | 12 |
| Passing Accuracy | 74% | Dribble Success Rate | 46.7% |
AMF – Philip Younghusband (Philippines)
He played a central part in the Philippines’ offense and made a major contribution for the team. He’s the main actor behind Philippines’ historic win over Indonesia. He just needs to find a way to get himself out of a tight marking from the opponent.
| Matches Played | 5 | Shots On Target | 9 | Lose Ball | 33 |
| Playing Minutes | 450 | Shots Off Target | 8 | Fouls Committed | 9 |
| Goals Scored | 2 | Shots Blocked | 4 | Fouls Suffered | 6 |
| Assists | 1 | Shot Accuracy | 52.9% | ||
| Successful Passes | 112 | Successful Dribbles | 5 | ||
| Passing Accuracy | 73.2% | Dribble Success Rate | 55.6% |
CF – Adisak Kraisorn (Thailand)
A sturdy and perceptive striker who needs to work on his temper. His concordant positioning always attracted his opponents’ defense which cleared a way for his teammates.
| Matches Played | 5 | Shots On Target | 4 | Successful Headers | 9 |
| Playing Minutes | 307 | Shots Off Target | 2 | Headers Success Rate | 28.1% |
| Goals Scored | 2 | Shots Blocked | 1 | Fouls Suffered | 12 |
| Assists | 1 | Shot Accuracy | 66.7% | Offsides | 4 |
| Successful Passes | 84 | Successful Dribbles | 4 | Lose Ball | 36 |
| Passing Accuracy | 84% | Dribble Success Rate | 50% |
***
We realize that the team only consists of players from the teams that qualified from the Group Stage. As the players played more matches, they surely have more playing minutes to contribute to the team and to show their quality. Hence, their statistical records, as our main parameters of consideration, would have more numbers to be valued.
Feel free to have your say!