Returns, history making, star goalkeepers and eyes on the prize all feature as the-AFC.com reviews our What They Said series from the few weeks of action.

Some are AFC Champions League veterans, some made their debut in the competition, some have been eliminated while others will continue to challenge for the title of the 2021 AFC Champions League top scorer, but what they all have in common is that their 26 goals combined were some of the finest highlights of the first part of the competition.

As the continental competition takes a break before resuming with the East Asia group stage in the months ahead, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the numbers that stood out as the 2021 AFC Champions League got underway in India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A total of 150 goals rained in over 60 matches in Goa, Jeddah, Riyadh and Sharjah with the teams from the West Asia section of the draw delivering plenty of drama as the games came thick and fast.

From long-range screamers to acrobatic efforts and stunning free-kicks, we've compiled a list that is sure to delight. Review the goals, and then vote for your favourite at the foot of the article.

From high-scoring forwards to those that create the goals and win the ball back, we shine the spotlight on the players whose statistics stood out as the continental competition got underway in West Asia.

Describing every AFC Champions League match as a learning curve, the young goalkeeper said the experience gained was tremendous.

FC Goa went into their AFC Champions League debut with the odds stacked against them but more than held their own in a Group E that had two-time runnersup Persepolis FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Al Wahda FSCC of the UAE and Qatar's Al Rayyan.

The win secured Al Hilal top spot in the standings, having gone into the match level on points with Al Shabab. The 2019 AFC Champions League winners moved to 51 points, with four matches remaining.