The 37-year-old – who made 76 appearances for IR Iran from 2004 to 2012 – will juggle playing and coaching roles for the club, which finished sixth in the 2019-20 league campaign.

Rahmati replaces Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh, who himself had only held the position since July.

From a wonderfully astute finish in Abu Dhabi on Matchday Three to an equally memorable strike in the final against the might of Urawa Red Diamonds, Khrbin frequently proved unstoppable as the Syrian’s 10 goals saw him finish as the competition’s leading marksman – success powered by his unerring ability to be, more often than not, in the right place at the right time.

The livewire forward’s performances also ensured he was named the 2017 AFC Player of the Year – just reward for a season when he led the line superbly for Ramón Díaz’s charges.

With the latest edition of Asia’s premier club competition nearing its resumption, join the-AFC.com as we take a trip down memory lane to relive Khrbin’s exploits and see exactly why he earned the title – AFC Hotshot.

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.

After the first semi-final garnered more than 100,000 votes and five players progressed to next week's final, the-AFC.com brings you more fabulous goals from the years between 2010 and 2019.

Featuring a range of delightful chips, teams goals, long-range screamers and much more, enjoy the trip down memory lane and don't forget to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article. The top five will advance to next week's grand finale.

In the latest edition of the AFC’s GameChangers series – which tells inspiring stories from women’s football in Asia – we meet the 23-year-old whose passion has taken her from northern Pakistan to Paris and Milan; and for whom the game provides a window to so much more.

The Tehran club snapped up veteran goalkeeper Hamed Lak, as well as Sanat Naft forward Issa Alekasir and Sepahan wide man Saeid Aghaei, with all three players putting pen to paper on two-year deals.

With that in mind, this week's '5 of the Best' sees the-AFC.com wind back the clock to look at the emerging talent who have risen to prominence in years gone by as we shine the spotlight on teenage goalscorers.

Among the contenders are players who have gone on to win the English Premier League and represent one of the Netherlands' biggest sides after first showing their promise in the AFC Champions League. After reviewing the nominees, tell us your favourite at the foot of the article.

Also check out our previous editions: acrobatic goals, solo goals, volleys, long-range screamers, chips, free-kicks, curlers, saves, team goals, assists and flicks, tricks and backheels.