In the absence of the three-time champions and their two-time AFC Cup MVP striker Hammadi Ahmed, here are six stars from the West Zone who could lead their sides to continental glory this year.

Some have a glorious AFC Cup history while others will be making their debut in the competition this year, but all will surely be bringing their magic to pitches across the continent over the next few months.

Plenty of talent will be on display, with prolific goal-getters and midfield maestros among the main draws. Ahead of the matches, the-AFC.com has picked out six players to look out for.

Having enjoyed a third prolific AFC Cup run in 2018, Spanish striker Marañón's Continental adventure was to end on a sour note after a two-match suspension ruled him out of the ASEAN Zonal final.

Nevertheless, the 32-year-old is back for a fourth appearance at the Continental tournament and spoke exclusively to the-AFC.com ahead of this year's competition.

Colombo had a bright start to the match when they opened the scoring within the first five minutes.

The action began with a corner kick that saw Jean Momas Yapo rising highest but his header bounced away from the goalmouth towards Duckson Puslas, who launched an overhead kick that forced Transport goalkeeper Hari Gurung into punching the ball away. However, M.F.M. Aakib shot the loose ball from close range to give Colombo the lead.

Three minutes later, Colombo were two goals ahead when Momas Yapo’s pass into the middle of the box found a surging Aakib, who then let loose a superb strike into the top right corner of the net.

The two sides had met in the 2018 edition, where Ahal emerged victors twice in the group stage.

With a better track record, Ahal wasted no time in asserting dominance and broke the deadlock in the 20th minute through Bashmov’s effort.

Alay, however, held their composure and pushed the visitors back and equalised on 36 minutes with Eldiiar Sardarbekov finding the back of the net, but their celebration were cut short when Bashimov restored Ahal's one-goal advantage just two minutes later.

DPR Korea side Ryomyong, who are making their debut appearance in the AFC Cup, made an ideal start to their qualifying campaign when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 12th minute which Kim Song-min converted to open the scoring.

Ri Hun duly doubled the Koreans' tally just seven minutes later, before Kim Kwang-jin added his name to the scoresheet on 42 minutes to hand Ryomyong a comfortable three-goal lead heading into half-time.

Palestine international Oday Dabbagh was the hero of the night with his second half strike that ensured Hilal Al Quds victory.

Hilal Al Quds will join Al Jaish, Nejmeh SC and Al Wehdat in Group A, where they will kick off their campaign against Syrian champions Al Jaish on February 25.