Thom Haye Is On The AFC Star Player Nomination List

Thom Haye's action when the Indonesian national team against the Philippines (VOI/Ferry Tri Adi).

JAKARTA - Thom Haye's proud achievement was after helping the Indonesian national team qualify for the third round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifiers. He is included in the most impressive poll of players created by the AFC.

The AFC decision to include Thom Haye in that category is not without reason. The reason is, the 29-year-old is a key player for the Indonesian national team in the match against the Philippines on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

In the final match of the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Thom Haye became the player who scored the opener in the Red-White Team's win over The Azkals.

"To present a historic night for Indonesia in front of a crowded audience at Gelora Bung Karno's Main Stadium was Thom Haye who scored his first international goal to bring Garuda to a 2-0 victory over the Philippines which ensured their place in the third round of World Cup Qualifications for the first time while ensuring successive performances in the Asian Cup," wrote AFC in a statement quoted on Friday, June 14, 2024.

"The Dutch born in the Netherlands, which marked an international debut in the March qualifying match against Vietnam with an assist, found a gap outside the penalty box and fired a curling shot that Filipino goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza could not reach and broke the deadlock for Shin Tae Yong's team in the 32nd minute," continued AFC explaining the significance of Haye's existence for the Indonesian national team.

Apparently Thom Haye's slick record of stealing AFC's attention was not just a goal. The player who last season strengthened Heerenveen was recorded many times distributing the ball well and even helped the team survive.

In the nominations for the players released by AFC on Thursday, June 13, 2024, Thom Haye competed with seven other players. One famous name that AFC also raised was South Korean star who is now playing at Paris Saint-Germain, Lee Kang-in. He became the determinant of Taegeuk Warriors' victory over China.

In addition, there was also Ri Jo Guk who packed a hat trick as North Korea silenced Myanmar 4-1. Lebanese aging striker Hassan Matouk, who scored three goals in the match against Bangladesh was also nominee.

Other names competing with Thom Haye are Eid Al Rashedi (Kuwait), Sanjeeb Bista (Nepal), Martin Boyle (Australia), and Noor Al Rawabdeh (Jordania).

All the players who were nominated for the AFC poll recorded a goal in the last match of the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.