The 23-year-old's fantastic goal on Matchday Two came in a memorable 4-1 victory over Singapore's Tampines Rovers at a packed Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The superb strike also saw him become the first Indonesian to score for Persija at the 2018 AFC Cup and gained him 58 percent of the vote to win the poll.

Ahmed, 29, put his team on the road to a historic third title with his strike in the 22nd minute, his eighth goal of the 2018 campaign, ensuring Air Force Club took a firm hold of the final in front of their adoring fans.

""I dedicate this award to the club management, the technical team, my colleagues, and most importantly, to my family," said Ahmed.

"We went into the game with great desire to win the title, our coach watched Altyn Asyr's previous matches and had a detailed plan for us."

Alyn Asyr progressed on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw secured their place in the final for the first time, while Air Force Club continue to fly high as their 4-1 aggregate win sees them on track for a third successive title. For more facts and figures, check out the-AFC.com's week in numbers.

The hosts came racing out of the blocks as Hammadi Ahmed found space inside the box and rounded goalkeeper Mamed Orazmuhamedov, but the Altyn Asyr defence recovered, forcing the forward wide. Ahmed laid off the ball for Ali Husni whose effort was blocked in the fifth minute.

Ahmed had a golden chance to open the scoring in the 15th minute when he received Ibrahim Bayesh’s cross from the right flank, but the Air Force Club captain’s shot was collected by Orazmuhamedov.

The deadlock was finally broken halfway through the opening period. Defender Mekan Saparov floundered his attempt to clear a through pass, and the ball reached Ahmed who applied a calm finish from close range for his eighth goal of the campaign in the 22nd minute.

Having won their first two AFC Cup titles on foreign soil, Air Force Club were determined to celebrate a third triumph in front of their fans, said Qasim who returned to helm the side just several months ago after having guided them to the 2016 crown.

"We gift this win to Iraq football fans in general, Basra fans and to the Air Force Club fans who we had promised to bring more achievements," said Qasim.

The 4.25 SC captain finished two goals ahead of Bienvenido Maranon of the Philippines’ Ceres Negros and Sekou Sylla of Myanmar's Yangon United.

With 4.25 SC eliminated from the tournament at the Inter-Zone final stage by Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr, An's involvement in the AFC Cup was brought to an end at the penultimate stage.

But he remained on top of the scoring charts ahead of Saturday’s final between holders Air Force Club of Iraq and Altyn Asyr with Altymyrat Annadurdyyev of the latter the closest – on eight goals prior to kick off – still four goals behind the DPR Korean.

Annadurdyyev, though, was unable to add to his tally as Air Force Club ran out 2-0 winners and An’s 12 goals proved enough to confirm him as the top scorer.

Air Force Club were quick to stamp their mark on the final, leaving Altyn Asyr chasing shadows and once the Iraqi side took the lead through Hammadi Ahmed in the 22nd minute, Hojageldyyew said his side knew it would be difficult to find a way back into the final.

"I congratulate Air Force Club for this achievement, the match was very difficult for us as they were highly motivated," said Hojageldyyew.