While there were several upsets in the region, the Uzbekistan Super League largely went to form as FC Pakhtakor and PFC Lokomotiv both picked up wins, while Turkmenistan’s main title challengers made winning starts in domestic cup quarter-final ties.

Having overcome domestic rivals Becamex Binh Duong to be crowned ASEAN Zonal Champions, Hanoi have now produced the best-ever performance by a Vietnamese side in the AFC Cup. 

But while midfielder Duc Huy admits he is satisfied with his side’s showing to date, the objective remains to go even deeper into the tournament and continue the upward trajectory than has been seen in the country over the past two years.

Ahead to the two match-ups, the-AFC.com has selected four players who have the potential to light up the ties and help guide their sides into the Inter-Zone Final.

The clashes see ASEAN kings Hanoi FC of Vietnam take on Central Zonal champions Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan and South Zonal champions Abahani Limited Dhaka go up against their East Zone counterparts 4.25 SC of DPR Korea over two legs.

The reward for the winners is a place in the Inter-Zone Final, meaning the stakes are high ahead of the first legs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Avramovic, who helped Singapore win the AFF Cup in 2004, 2007 and 2012, had only returned to working in Southeast Asia last July when he was confirmed as the head coach of the Protectors.

However, the 69-year-old has called it quits with the team sitting fifth in the nine-team SPL having collected 27 points from 20 matches.

The trophy, a play-off bringing together the country’s defending league and cup champions from the previous season, has now been won five successive times by Altyn Asyr, who are chasing a sixth successive Yokary Liga title this season.

Over the years a number of teams have reaped the rewards for luring fresh faces ahead of the business end of the competition – the-AFC.com has picked out five of the biggest-impact summer signings.