More than nine months after its scheduled start date, the Chinese outfit will finally begin their quest for continental success, but with their league campaign completed just a week ago, Choi said several of his players have arrived in the Qatari capital nursing injuries.

In the only group that has seen all four teams play at least one match, things are intriguingly poised, with three sides: FC Seoul of Korea Republic, Beijing FC of China PR and Australia's Melbourne Victory all on three points.

The A-League side have, however, played a game more, while Thailand's Chiangrai United have lost both of their matches so far in their debut campaign.

Only FC Tokyo have completed two rounds of matches so far and it's the Japanese capital city side who sit top of the group with four points, while Ulsan are second with one point. Perth Glory lost to FC Tokyo in their only tie to date, while Shanghai Shenhua are yet to play.

With Johor Darul Ta'zim having had to withdraw because of the Malaysian government's travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and their results now classed as null and void, the group features just three teams with Japan's Vissel Kobe completing the line-up.

As it stands the group, which also features two-time winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and 2019 J1 League champions Yokohama F. Marinos, is led by the Japanese side on six points from two games after picking up back-to-back wins.

Jeonbuk and Sydney, who have both also played two matches, sit second and third respectively on a point apiece while Shanghai had yet to start their campaign before the tournament was halted in early March.

Having looked at some of the finest goalscorers in the tournament and some of the young talents who could shine, we turn our attention to a group of stars who are set to be the focal points for their sides to build their success around over the next few weeks.

The Iranian champions sealed their spot in the December 19 final after a magnificent performance in the 2020 AFC Champions League (West) which was played in the centralised location of Qatar.

Having garnered just one point from their opening two matches before the tournament was halted in March by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iranian champions hardly put a foot wrong when the tournament resumed in September.

Join the-AFC.com as we relive Persepolis' journey to the AFC Champions League final, their second in three years.