The 2011 winners Al Sadd of Qatar host 2017 semi-finalists Persepolis of Islamic Republic of Iran on Tuesday, before Japan’s Kashima Antlers welcome two-time continental champions Suwon Samsung Bluewings of Korea Republic a day later.

34 goals down, two more to go. Legendary forward Damjanovic's love-affair with Asia's premier club competition keeps enduring.

A runner-up in 2013 with FC Seoul and again a semi-finalist in 2016 with the capital city club, the prolific Montenegrin is now back in the business end of the tournament with Suwon.

Just a brace off the record of current AFC Champions League all-time top scorer Lee Dong-gook, whose side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were eliminated by Suwon in the quarter-finals, Damjanovic has one eye on that record but - naturally - both on lifting the title itself.

Leading scorer Baghdad Bounedjah and Spanish superstar Xavi may have hogged the headlines as Al Sadd reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals, but it is young Qatari talent Akram Afif who has been one of the real success stories of the Doha club's continental campaign.

And according to the 21-year-old forward, who was recently named AFC Champions League Toyota Player of the Week, the best is very much still to come.

The 2011 winners advanced to the next stage on the back of a 5-3 aggregate win, having defeated the Iranian team 3-1 in the first leg in Tehran.

This was one of the best games in the world this year! We won three zero there, they won three zero here, a missed penalty in stoppage time - a crazy game, but great for Asian football. I am so tired, but so happy that we made it to the semi-finals.

Dejan Damjanovic shares his thoughts on Suwon Samsung Bluewings' rollercoaster quarter-finals tie with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, after the hosts came out on top 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Goalkeeper Shin Hwa-yong was Suwon's hero as he saved three penalties - the first in second half stoppage time which forced the tie into extra time and two in the resultant shootout.

In need of goals, the visitors did much of the early attacking at Suwon World Cup Stadium and took the lead on the night inside the 11th minute.

Suwon failed to deal with Ricardo Lopes’ ball into the area and fellow Brazilian Adriano latched onto the loose ball to poke past goalkeeper Shin.

Although heartened by the opener, Jeonbuk were unable to add a second, nor carve out another clear-cut opportunity, before half-time despite the lion’s share of attacking play and possession.

Goals from Serginho, Hiroki Abe, and Shoma Doi wrapped up a 5-0 aggregate victory for the Japanese side over their Chinese opponents, delivering them to a first ever semi-final in Asia’s premier club competition.