Schrock's United City finished third in Group I of the recently concluded 2021 AFC Champions League (East) group stage in Tashkent while Kaya FC, who progressed from the playoff after defeating Shanghai Port FC, ended their Group F campaign in Bangkok with six defeats.

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 East Asia.

As ever, there was plenty of drama and a number of fabulous goals to go with it. the-AFC.com has selected five of the best for you to choose your favourite, so cast a vote at the foot of the article to let us know!

Kaya’s AFC Champions League run ended with a 1-0 defeat to Viettel FC on Sunday but it was not for the want of trying as Viettel scored only after Harvey’s side had been reduced to nine men in a space of two minutes with Viettel’s Caique scoring the winning goal from a sublime free-kick after Masanari Omura had been sent off in the 53rd minute with Simone Rota the first to get his marching orders.

Before the football action begins on July 21, the-AFC.com is here to tell all you need to know about the continent’s contenders, including their road to Tokyo, their star players and what to expect from their opponents.

The first team in our series is Asia’s highest ranked women’s national team, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts, Australia, who will be eager to begin a new era in style under head coach Tony Gustavsson.

Playing in the tournament as an invited team, Qatar were denied an opening win by a Panama side who came from behind three times to force the draw in a match where the kickoff had to be delayed by almost two hours due to severe weather warning.

Niazmand joins Portimão-based club on a three-year contract, following in the footsteps of Alireza Beiranvand who joined another Primeira Liga side Boavista from Belgian team Antwerp on loan.