The two were involved in a thrilling Matchday Three encounter with Qatar's Al Duhail claiming a 4-3 win in one of this season's best group stage matches.

The result meant Al Duhail reached the halfway stage on seven points, one ahead of Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal and this sets the stage for another epic encounter at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

The 20 teams will return to action on Friday and Saturday, with some aiming to put one foot in the Round of 16 and others desperately trying to keep their dreams of reaching the knockout phase alive.

In what's sure to be another thrilling two days of action, the-AFC.com has chosen five things to look out for.

With the teams in India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates preparing to return to action on Friday and Saturday, the-AFC.com takes a look back at the facts and figures that have stood out so far.

Photo: Al Ahli Saudi FC

Whether it was stunning solo runs, sublime curlers, or historic headers, Matchday Three of the 2021 AFC Champions League had it all.

We've selected five of the best goals for you to choose from in the poll at the foot of the article.

The Uzbek side reached the quarter-finals last year but are yet to get their first win of the 2021 campaign, having started off with 3-3 draw against Tractor FC before being held 0-0 by Air Force Club.

The reverse fixture on Tuesday saw an efficient display of counter-attacking football by Sharjah as they ceded possession to Pakhtakor but stuck two times either side of the half-time break to walk away with a 4-1 victory and cruise further at the top of the group, leaving Pakhtakor to languish in fourth place.

The two teams met just two days ago on Matchday Three, where they played out to a 1-1 draw with Al Nassr reaching the halfway stage as the remain group leaders on five points, with Foolad second on goal difference.

Three points at the King Saud University Stadium will be crucial in the race to win the group, with Qatar's Al Sadd SC and Al Wehdat of Jordan also still in the running for the automatic slot in the Round of 16.

FC Goa opened their debut campaign in the AFC Champions League with 0-0 results against Qatar's Al Rayyan and UAE's Al Wahda but the Indian Super League side fell 2-1 to Persepolis after taking the lead on Monday.

Persepolis began their bid for the AFC Champions League title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Al Wahda and showed their fighting spirit to come from a goal down to defeat Al Rayyan 3-1 before seeing of FC Goa.