The inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain made a strong statement of their intention to not only participate in this year's group stage, but also go deep in the tournament once again with the marquee signing of 2015 AFC Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil from Al Jazira.

The 26-year-old United Arab Emirates international joins on a six-month deal ahead of Al Ain's AFC Champions League play-off tie with Bahrain's Al Malkiya on January 30.

Fine Margins at the Top

Following a strong start to the season by Al Wahda, under 2014 AFC Champions League finalist coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, it was Al Ain and Al Wasl who went neck and neck for the remainder of the first half of the season, trading places at the top two spots.

Ultimately, with 11 matchweeks of the season completed, there was very little to separate the two, as both the Cheetahs and the Boss remained unbeaten, boasting an identical record of seven wins and four draws to reach the midway point of the league season with 25 points each. 

The title contenders had started the season with 2-2 draw at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, meaning it’s Al Wasl who were crowned ‘Winter Champions’ courtesy of their two away goals.

Going Under

The AFC Champions League 2018 kicks off with four clubs gearing up to advance past the Preliminary Stage 1 qualifiers. Myanmar National League champions Shan United FC will play host to Ceres Negros FC from the Philippines at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon at 4pm local time.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Liga 1 2017 runners-up Bali United will kick start their maiden appearance in the AFC club competitions when they face Singapore’s Tampines Rovers at the Capt. I Wayan Dipta Stadium at 7.30pm local time.

The winners of this year’s AFC Champions League – which is already one of the richest continental club competitions in world football and is second only to Europe – will receive the competition’s largest-ever reward of US$4m, up from US$3m.

The 2018 runners-up will also get an extra US$500,000 taking the total purse to US$2m, while the AFC Cup winners will also bag a record US$1.5m this year.

Philipines international Stephan Schröck joined the-AFC.com for an interview in the lead-up to the highly anticipated kick-off of the 2018 AFC Champions League campaign. The German-born midfielder spoke on opponents Shan United, team goals for this year and football-mad grandmothers!

Hi Stephan, how are you feeling ahead of the 2018 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1 tie against Shan United?

I’m very proud that we get to represent our country in the AFC Champions League. This is another milestone for Philippines football and we will make sure we put on a good performance against Shan United.

Speaking of Shan United, what do you know about this team?

To be honest, up to now, not very much. They must be a good team if they became champions in Myanmar, but I'd rather focus on our strengths and game. This is the only thing that matters anyway.

What are your impressions of Myanmar football teams in general - are there any specific qualities they have?

Like I said, I never really look to others, I just focus on our things. We are not overlooking them, but I think we have enough quality to beat them at club level, and also with the national team.