Ahead of the start of the tournament, FC Goa captain Edu Bedia elaborated about the club’s chances in the tournament and how the team is shaping up before the start of the competition in comparison to the Indian Super League (ISL).

The Serbian midfielder’s 120th-minute strike proved decisive as AGMK beat Qatar’s Al Gharafa 1-0 in extra-time in their qualifying playoff in Doha, taking the Uzbek club to the tournament proper for the first time.

The win makes AGMK the seventh team from Uzbekistan to reach that stage, and the first club from the nation to make their group stage debut since PFC Lokomotiv in 2015.

The Dutch coach, who returned to the UAE club last month, found his side trailing one minute into the second half when Alaa Abdulzahra gave Al Zawraa the lead despite Al Wahda having dominated the first period.

However, Al Wahda equalised through 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Khrbin in the 62nd minute before Ibrahim Khalil fired the winning goal in the 77th to take his team into Group E, joining Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC, Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC and FC Goa of India.

Air Force found themselves trailing to Youssoufou Niakate's goal after 24 minutes but second half substitute Aymen Hussein's dramatic equaliser in the second minute of added time forced the match into extra time and then the penalty shootout, which the Iraqi side won 3-2.

The win means Air Force Club join UAE’s Sharjah FC, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Tractor and Pakhtakor FC of Uzbekistan in Group B of the 2021 AFC Champions League in Sharjah.

With an Australian hat-trick in England, Iranian goalkeeping heroics in Portugal and a Japanese double act in Belgium just a sample of the memorable contributions, there are several worthy candidates for this week’s crown.

But who was the week’s outstanding Asian player abroad? We’ve narrowed it down to a 10-player shortlist, based on performances from April 1 to 7.

Take a look at the nominees below and don’t forget to cast your vote.

The 34-year-old Mercado, who joined Al Rayyan two years ago, picked up the injury during their 2-1 defeat against Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd on Wednesday.

The Jordanians, coached by Portuguese David Nascimento, are preparing for September's Qualifiers for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022.