Shokhruz Norkhonov (PFC Sogdiana)
Nationality: Uzbekistan
Position: Forward
Age: 29

Norkhonov has been firing on all cylinders since signing for Sogdiana in 2018, with the attacker on a four-game scoring streak for Sogdiana as they top the Uzbekistan Pro League standings this season. 

With Norkhonov having scored 42 goals since joining them, Sogdiana will be counting on him to deliver in their debut AFC Cup appearance.

Altymyrat Annadurdyyev (Altyn Asyr FC)
Nationality: Turkmenistan 
Position: Forward
Age: 29

Altymyrat Annadurdyyev will head into this edition of the AFC Cup as a familiar figure, having already scored 19 goals in previous editions of the continental showpiece. 

The 29-year-old forward  reached as far as the final in 2018, only to lose out to Iraq’s Air Force Club, but Annadurdyyev will be determined to power Altyn Asyr once more in their sixth AFC Cup appearance. 

Domestically, Annadurdyyev has scored 35 goals in 28 league games since 2020.

Annadurdyyev was in action in the recent AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers, scoring twice as Turkmenistan finished third in Group E behind Bahrain and Malaysia. 

Tursunali Rustamov (PFC Neftchi)
Nationality: Kyrgyz Republic 
Position: Forward
Age: 32

Signed in the winter, Kyrgyz Republic international Tursunali Rustamov will be among those Neftchi will be relying on in their debut AFC Cup campaign.

The 32-year-old has made 11 appearances in the league since joining, with one goal in his Neftchi account.

Karomatullo Saidov (FC Khujand)
Nationality: Tajikistan 
Position: Midfielder 
Age: 22

At Khujand since July, 2021, Saidov is an exciting talent with much expected from the Tajikistan U23 international, as he featured in their debut at the recent AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022.

Saidov made his AFC Cup debut last year with FC Ravshan with their run ending in the Group Stage, and the 22-year-old will be fired up to assist FC Khujand in their fifth appearance in the competition. 

Aleksandr Mishchenko (FC Dordoi)
Nationality: Kyrgyz Republic 
Position: Left-back 
Age: 24

Having joined Dordoi in 2017, Mishchenko has established himself at the club and a regular with the Kyrgyz Republic national team. 

Mishchenko is no stranger to the competition, making his AFC Cup debut in 2019, before returning in 2021, and the reigning Kyrgyz Republic champions will be counting on his defensive resilience as they look to advance to the AFC knockout stage for the first time.