And it's a group with plenty of pedigree as two-time AFC Champions League winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic and 2008 champions Gamba Osaka of Japan lead the cast. The pair are joined by Thailand's Chiangrai United, who return for the second successive year, and Singaporean debutants Tampines Rovers.

The 2021 edition sees Port make their long-awaited debut in the AFC Champions League while Kitchee return for the first time since 2018 boasting a continental superstar with a record in his sights.

Ratchaburi Mitr Phol from the host country will make their continental debut and they will be joined by Southeast Asian rivals Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia, 2009 winners Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic and Japan's Nagoya Grampus, who return for the first time since 2012.

After falling at the final hurdle in the playoffs in back-to-back years, United City FC - then known as Ceres Negros - are finally set to make their AFC Champions League group stage debut, a landmark achievement for Filipino football.

The-AFC.com caught up exclusively with United City FC forward Marañón, the AFC Cup's all-time top scorer, ahead of the 2021 AFC Champions League kick off to discuss the Spain-born striker's preparations, their Group I opponents and his goals for the tournament.

Nagoya last appeared in the competition in 2012 when they reached the Round of 16, after which they suffered a downturn of fortunes that culminated in relegation to the second tier in 2016 before returning to the top flight a year later.

After a period of restabalisation Nagoya then returned to the upper echelons of the J1 League, with a third-place finish last season ensuring direct entry into the 2021 AFC Champions League and Kakitani is now aiming to continue the upward trajectory.

After bouncing between Vietnam's top two leagues over the past 15 years, Viettel gained promotion to the top flight in 2018 and two years later were crowned champions of their country after finishing two points clear of Hanoi FC.

That title success saw the Hanoi-based club qualify directly to the 2021 AFC Champions League group stage as they became the first Vietnamese side to appear in the competition since Becamex Binh Duong in 2016.

And there could be few bigger introductions to the tournament than opening against last year's winners Ulsan Hyundai.

Some of Asia’s biggest names produced the heroics required to keep their respective nations’ FIFA World Cup dreams alive, and they were joined by new faces eager to leave a mark of their own.

An elite 12 teams remain in contention for a place at next year’s global showpiece, but which player played the biggest role in shaping their side’s destiny? Who was the outstanding player in Asia’s momentous month?