AFC Champions League 2019 Archive - AR

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan to lift the 2019 title after runners-up finishes in 2014 and 2017, will have Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE), Pakhtakor (UZB) and the winner of a play-off for company.

Ten fantastic goals were nominated that spanned the Continent from Uzbekistan to Urawa, but it was Persepolis' defender Khalilzadeh whose amazing acrobatics that captured the attention and favour of Asia's football fans.

The Iranian had previously won Goal of the Week for Matchday Three and Goal of the Group Stage, and so completes his hat-trick with the overall best goal of the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Along with Al Hilal, as many as six former AFC Champions League champions, which include Al Sadd SC from Qatar, Korea Republic trio - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Ulsan Hyundai FC - as well as China PR’s Guangzhou Evergrande FC, will discover their opponents in what promises to be a historic 2020 AFC Champions League campaign.

Raising the stakes, the upcoming edition will present the ultimate winners, should they not qualify through their domestic league, with an added incentive of a guaranteed spot in the Preliminary/Play-off stage of the 2021 season.

Ten-men Yokohama defeated eventual runners-up FC Tokyo 3-0 before a sell-out crowd of 64,000 at the Nissan Stadium to clinch their fourth J.League crown.

The win assures Yokohama - who finished on 70 points - a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

Shanghai overturned the first leg deficit with three second half goals from Kim Shin-wook, Stephan El Shaarawy and Alexander N'Doumbou.

After a goalless firat half, Kim - who joined Shanghai last July - was influential in the second period with the Korea Republic international firing home a half-volley to break the deadlock on the hour mark.

From fabulous goals to mature performances and even a record-breaking feat, the next generation of stars was a welcome addition to the tournament. The-AFC.com has selected six of the best, who we can look forward to seeing much more of in the future.

Last-minute winners, extraordinary come-from-behind victories and one-man show stealers, the 2019 AFC Champions League underlined its status as the premier club competition in Asia.

We reflect on five matches that displayed some of the best of the action from the prestigious tournament.

Long-range screamers, acrobatic scissor kicks, stunning free-kicks and superb team moves, the 2019 AFC Champions League saw goals from all angles and distances that stunned and delighted lovers of Asian football across the Continent.

UPDATE: Voting has now concluded – CLICK to find out who was selected as the best goal of AFC Champions League 2019

Al Hilal, with six Continental titles in their trophy cabinet, were already the most successful club in Asia but the Saudi Arabian club had to wait 17 years for their seventh crown.

Al Hilal's first taste of Continental glory - having finished runners-up in 1986 and 1987 - came in 1991 when they won the Asian Club Championship.

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan to lift the 2019 title after runners-up finishes in 2014 and 2017, will have Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE), Pakhtakor (UZB) and the winner of a play-off for company.

Ten fantastic goals were nominated that spanned the Continent from Uzbekistan to Urawa, but it was Persepolis' defender Khalilzadeh whose amazing acrobatics that captured the attention and favour of Asia's football fans.

The Iranian had previously won Goal of the Week for Matchday Three and Goal of the Group Stage, and so completes his hat-trick with the overall best goal of the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Along with Al Hilal, as many as six former AFC Champions League champions, which include Al Sadd SC from Qatar, Korea Republic trio - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Ulsan Hyundai FC - as well as China PR’s Guangzhou Evergrande FC, will discover their opponents in what promises to be a historic 2020 AFC Champions League campaign.

Raising the stakes, the upcoming edition will present the ultimate winners, should they not qualify through their domestic league, with an added incentive of a guaranteed spot in the Preliminary/Play-off stage of the 2021 season.

Ten-men Yokohama defeated eventual runners-up FC Tokyo 3-0 before a sell-out crowd of 64,000 at the Nissan Stadium to clinch their fourth J.League crown.

The win assures Yokohama - who finished on 70 points - a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

Shanghai overturned the first leg deficit with three second half goals from Kim Shin-wook, Stephan El Shaarawy and Alexander N'Doumbou.

After a goalless firat half, Kim - who joined Shanghai last July - was influential in the second period with the Korea Republic international firing home a half-volley to break the deadlock on the hour mark.

From fabulous goals to mature performances and even a record-breaking feat, the next generation of stars was a welcome addition to the tournament. The-AFC.com has selected six of the best, who we can look forward to seeing much more of in the future.

Last-minute winners, extraordinary come-from-behind victories and one-man show stealers, the 2019 AFC Champions League underlined its status as the premier club competition in Asia.

We reflect on five matches that displayed some of the best of the action from the prestigious tournament.

Long-range screamers, acrobatic scissor kicks, stunning free-kicks and superb team moves, the 2019 AFC Champions League saw goals from all angles and distances that stunned and delighted lovers of Asian football across the Continent.

UPDATE: Voting has now concluded – CLICK to find out who was selected as the best goal of AFC Champions League 2019

Al Hilal, with six Continental titles in their trophy cabinet, were already the most successful club in Asia but the Saudi Arabian club had to wait 17 years for their seventh crown.

Al Hilal's first taste of Continental glory - having finished runners-up in 1986 and 1987 - came in 1991 when they won the Asian Club Championship.

After the Matchday Four action concluded on Friday, both Al Ahli Saudi and Al Nassr have confirmed their places in the knockout rounds with two rounds of fixtures still to play.

With Matchday Five set to take place later on Sunday, the-AFC.com looks back at the week in numbers following a busy few days of football.

It will come as no surprise that a number of Al Hilal's tournament-winning side made the line-up after their impressive displays throughout and they are joined by four other standout performers from the most recently completed competition.

Below are the 11 players voted by the public on the-AFC.com, while an XI by OPTA, the official statistics provider for the AFC, is also included as a comparison.

The 2019 tournament's best goalkeeper has been decided, as have the back four ahead of of him, so now it's time to turn our attention to the more creative as we look back at 10 standout performers.

Champions Al Hilal have made their presence felt in this best XI so far, although with just one contender in the running for the midfield positions, there's a chance for others to stake their claim for a place in the side. So, review the list and don't forget to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

Last week we presented the candidates for the 2019 edition's best goalkeeper, and now we shine the spotlight on the players who will make up the backline.

So, here are the 14 players in contention for the four places in defence. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the respective polls.

Known for his predatory instincts and unique goal celebration, Gomis found the net 11 times for his club as the Saudi giants reigned supreme.

Al Hilal showcased the art of ‘attacking with and without the ball’ via their collective advanced pressing backed by a high defensive line, which allowed the team to operate as a compact unit.

Ten fantastic goals were nominated that spanned the Continent from Uzbekistan to Urawa, but it was Persepolis' defender Khalilzadeh whose amazing acrobatics that captured the attention and favour of Asia's football fans.

The Iranian had previously won Goal of the Week for Matchday Three and Goal of the Group Stage, and so completes his hat-trick with the overall best goal of the 2019 AFC Champions League.

From fabulous goals to mature performances and even a record-breaking feat, the next generation of stars was a welcome addition to the tournament. The-AFC.com has selected six of the best, who we can look forward to seeing much more of in the future.

Last-minute winners, extraordinary come-from-behind victories and one-man show stealers, the 2019 AFC Champions League underlined its status as the premier club competition in Asia.

We reflect on five matches that displayed some of the best of the action from the prestigious tournament.

Long-range screamers, acrobatic scissor kicks, stunning free-kicks and superb team moves, the 2019 AFC Champions League saw goals from all angles and distances that stunned and delighted lovers of Asian football across the Continent.

UPDATE: Voting has now concluded – CLICK to find out who was selected as the best goal of AFC Champions League 2019

Al Hilal, with six Continental titles in their trophy cabinet, were already the most successful club in Asia but the Saudi Arabian club had to wait 17 years for their seventh crown.

Al Hilal's first taste of Continental glory - having finished runners-up in 1986 and 1987 - came in 1991 when they won the Asian Club Championship.