Al Shorta created several scoring chances but failed to beat Al Wahda custodian Mohammed Al Shamsi before Paul Jose M’Poku scored for the visitors two minutes from time to hand the Iraq club their first defeat of the competition.

Both sides came into the game with a point to their name each. Al Shorta were eyeing their first-ever win in the AFC Champions League, while Al Wahda aimed to end a four-game winless run.

Al Ahli entered the game led by interim boss Mazen Bahkali, after the club had earlier in the day announced the termination of manager Christian Gross’ contract on the back of poor results in the Saudi Pro League.

Taggart joined Suwon at the beginning of 2019 and promptly finished as the K League’s top goalscorer after finding the back of the net 20 times in what was a largely disappointing league season for the former Asian champions.

Club captain Yeom, who top-scored in the Korean FA Cup as the side secured a return to the AFC Champions League, was hugely impressed with what he saw and believes the 26-year-old Australian could be the difference between success and failure on the Continent.

As ever, there are plenty of talking points ahead of the week's action, with an Asian powerhouse trying to halt a miserable run, an Australian debutant kicking off their first AFC Champions League campaign and chances to build on positive starts in Japan and Uzbekistan among our five things to look out for.

Shahr Khodro came into their second-ever AFC Champions League game dreaming of collecting their first point or scoring their first goal in the group stage, but at the end of the 90 minutes, they would have neither as the home side added another three points to their haul after having opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Shabab Al Ahli Dubai last week.

The reigning champions had started their campaign with a home win against Shahr Khodro FC, while Shabab Al Ahli lost their opening game in Tashkent to Pakhtakor.