The return meetings follow hot on the heels, but before the games kick off at the beginning of the week, join the-AFC.com as we look back at the week in numbers – with a very happy birthday, scoring runs and a first defeat all featuring.

Photos: Al Ahli, Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Wahda

Social media posts, joy and disappointment all feature as the-AFC.com recaps on what was said in the latest edition of the Continent's most prestigious competition.

Kuala Lumpur: Birthday boy Bafetimbi Gomis has been named the Toyota Player of the Week after scoring a hat-trick in Al Hilal’s 4-2 victory against domestic rivals Al Ahli on Tuesday.

Gomis, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Tuesday, twice levelled proceedings before putting his side in front midway through the second half to stun the home crowd into silence.

The Frenchman, who scored his treble from just four efforts on goal, was also awarded a rating of 9.4 to mean he won the weekly accolade by some distance.

Second in this week’s rankings was Al Duhail forward Youssef Msakni, who was playing his first game in this year’s Continental competition after returning from a loan spell in Belgium.