The Brazilian has been with the Chinese Super League side since early 2016, making well over 100 appearances, as he has found a home away from home in the China PR capital city although, to date, he has just one FA Cup to show for his five years in East Asia.

That victory came in 2018 but, having already secured a spot in the 2020-21 AFC Champions League qualifying rounds after recently confirming third place in the Chinese Super League, the 32-year-old is optimistic ahead of their first game in Qatar at Education City Stadium on Saturday.

Trent Buhagiar put the Australian side ahead early on before Li Shenglong scored with two headers 16 minutes apart in the second half to earn Shanghai SIPG their first three points of the campaign.

With his side winning their group opener, Pereira acknowledged that the Australian side had gotten the better of them early on, but physical readiness ultimately drew the winning hand, with Shanghai SIPG rising to second place having played a game less than Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Having not seen any competitive action since winning the A-League Grand Final at the end of August, the New South Wales side got off to the perfect start when Trent Buhagiar opened the scoring inside 10 minutes as they went into the interval a goal to the good.

But Shanghai fought back in the second half as a Li Shenglong brace ultimately secured the Chinese Super League side a 2-1 win, with Grant also having to play in goal for the final few minutes after Thomas Heward-Belle was dismissed for handling outside the box.

With two wins in their first two AFC Champions League matches in February, Yokohama F. Marinos seemed set for another title-contending season.

However, things have not gone to plan for the 2019 J1 League winners. The defence of their domestic championship has fizzled out and the team is some way out of contention for the 2021 AFC Champions League places as the season draws to a close.

Maldivian star Ashfaq's solo goal - one of five he scored in that match - for New Radiant against Persibi Bojonegoro in the 2013 AFC Cup saw him defeat Hanoi FC's Vietnam international Nguyen Quang Hai in the semi-final.

Ashfaq polled 54.68 % of the votes to see of Quang Hai's challenge.

Chan's goal against Malaysia's Pahang sealed the tie for South China AA and the former Hong Kong international will now face off against Ali Ashfaq of Maldives side New Radiant in the final which kicks off on Wednesday.

From youngsters making their way in the international game to long-time veterans, we’ve picked 10 of the best performers over the last 10 days, now it’s up to you to determine the standout player.

Here are our contenders for the November international window.