Hanoi, who will feature in the 2019 AFC Cup, have signed an agreement with the European giants which will see the clubs exchange ideas in developing and managing football infrastructure.

“The representatives of Bayern Munich met with the officials from T&T Group (owners of the Vietnamese club) on Monday morning,” Hanoi FC said in a statement.

“It is indeed a proud moment for our club as Bayern Munich is one of the best football clubs in the world,” it said.

“The agreement will see Bayern Munich share their expertise in development of football facilities and exchange ideas regarding the design, build and management of infrastructure like stadiums and academies,” Hanoi FC added.

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.

Iraq's Air Force Club, who created history by winning a third consecutive title in 2018, will not feature as they will be playing in the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Kuwait's Qadsia SC, who won the title in 2014, will begin their continental campaign in West Asia's Group C where they have Al Ahed from Lebanon, Bahrain's Malkiya Club and Al Suwaiq of Oman for company.

In the AFC Champions League – which is already one of the richest continental competitions in world football – clubs stand to earn over US$60,000 per match from the group stage to the semi-finals, with the total contribution rising from US$4.2 million last year to US$8.4 million next year.

Meanwhile, in the AFC Cup, the total travel contribution has doubled from US$2.94 million in 2018 to US$5.88 million in 2019.

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.