الارشيف كأس الاتحاد الآسيوي 2020

Arguably the finest player the Maldives has ever produced, Ali Ashfaq's wonder goal in 2013, scored in Indonesia against Persibo Bojonegoro, emerged top of the 32-goal AFC Cup Bracket Challenge.

A stunning solo goal, having already rounded the 'keeper it appeared Ashfaq had an easy tap-in, but the striker seemed intent on tormenting the Persibo backline, twisting one way and then the next before coolly finishing into the centre of the goal for a memorable effort that Asia's football fans clearly haven't forgotten.

In a showdown between arguably the biggest talents in their respective countries, Malaysian Safawi - currently on loan at Portuguese side Portimonense - polled 70 percent of the votes against Vietnamese sensation Quang Hai.

Thirty-two players from all five of the AFC's Zones began the contest more than six weeks ago and that number has now been whittled down to just two as fans voted in their masses to help Ashfaq and Chan reach the showpiece event.

The final pits South Asia against East Asia as Maldivian superstar Ashfaq's superb solo goal for Male side New Radiant in 2013 goes up against a wonderful strike by Chan for Hong Kong's South China AA in 2013.

Football lovers voted in their masses to ensure both former South China AA player Chan edged past Johor Darul Ta'zim's Malaysian superstar Safawi Rasid and ex-New Radiant forward Ashfaq overcame Nguyen Quang Hai of Vietnam's Hanoi FC in the semi-finals.

Chan's goal against Malaysia's Pahang sealed the tie for South China AA and the former Hong Kong international will now face off against Ali Ashfaq of Maldives side New Radiant in the final which kicks off on Wednesday.

Maldivian star Ashfaq's solo goal - one of five he scored in that match - for New Radiant against Persibi Bojonegoro in the 2013 AFC Cup saw him defeat Hanoi FC's Vietnam international Nguyen Quang Hai in the semi-final.

Ashfaq polled 54.68 % of the votes to see of Quang Hai's challenge.

With the AFC Cup making way for a revamped continental club competition structure, Mariners were the ones standing tall at the end of a challenging campaign.

For two decades, the AFC Cup provided plenty of thrilling moments with many spectacular goals that will live long in the memory of Asian football lovers.

From bicycle kick to backheel flick and long-range screamer to brilliant solo effort, there is plenty of variety on offer as the-AFC.com rewinds the clock to 10 of the greatest goals ever witnessed in the competition’s history.

Over the AFC Cup's two-decade-long history since launching in 2004, numerous players across the continent have shone brightly, providing unforgettable moments to savour for Asian football fans.

The-AFC.com selects 10 superstars who lit up the AFC Cup, making it one of the most enjoyable competitions in the Asian football calendar.

Alou Kuol's 84th minute strike at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex clinched the title for Central Coast, with the triumph coming a decade after Western Sydney Wanderers had lifted the AFC Champions League™ title.

Seeking to win the AFC Cup for a second time, Lebanon's Al Ahed had to be satisfied with a second place finish following Alou Kuol's late winner for Australia's Central Coast Mariners.

The defender played a key role in Central Coast's AFC Cup journey, with the Australian club defeating Lebanon's Al Ahed FC 1-0 in the final at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Sunday.

On their debut in the competition, Mariners became just the second Australian club to win an AFC competition, a decade after Western Sydney Wanderers won the AFC Champions League™ on their own debut.

The final marked the last-ever game in the AFC Cup which will make way for the three-tier AFC competitions from next season; the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League 2 and AFC Challenge League.

Lebanon's Al Ahed are seeking to lift the trophy for a second time after emerging champions in 2019 while Central Coast will be bidding to become the first Australian side to win the title in the final season of the AFC Cup.

With the first edition of the AFC Cup™ being launched in 2004, Sunday’s final will see the curtains come down on the prestigious tournament, marking the end of an illustrious 19-year run filled with some of the most iconic moments in Asian club football, as the 2024/25 season enters a new era with the introduction of the revamped three-tier club structure.