There can only be one winner when the two unbeaten sides cross paths, with the victors to carry the hopes of the entire Central Asian region into the latter stages of the tournament.

Ninety minutes, or perhaps a few more, will decide which club will advance to the Inter-Zone Semi-finals as Central Asia’s last team standing, with the South Zonal champions lying in wait.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at how Nasaf and Ahal made it this far, who stood out during the group stage and what it all means ahead of Wednesday’s blockbuster clash at Karshi’s Markaziy Stadium.

The outstanding team of the Central Zone’s group stage with nine unanswered goals back in May, Ruzikul Berdiev’s side will enter Wednesday’s sudden-death tie as strong favourites largely due to what is expected to be a greater level of match fitness.

Nasaf have the advantage of having played 15 Uzbekistan Super League games this season, including eight since their previous AFC Cup duties, while Ahal are still waiting for Turkmenistan’s Yokary Liga to begin due to persistent delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian striker’s 62nd-minute equaliser gave the Indian side the point they needed to advance as Group D winners, setting up a clash against the Central Asian zonal champions in next month’s Inter-Zone semi-finals

Bashundhara had looked to be on the way to a momentous victory when Brazilian midfielder Fernandes put them ahead just before the half-hour mark, but the momentum swung ATK Mohun Bagan’s way after Sushanto Tripura was sent off in the dying seconds of the first half.

Son was included in Bento’s 26-man squad for the games on September 2 and 7 respectively as the Koreans kick off the latest phase of their attempt to qualify for a 10th successive FIFA World Cup Finals in Qatar next year.

Having impressed in their earlier matches without reward, Oman were at their best in their final Group D tie against a Senegal side who had already confirmed their quarter-final spot after Matchday Two.

Patev, who has primarily been used as a right back in the past, will join the Dushanbe-based side on a contract which runs until the end of the 2021 season, filling the vacant foreign player spot made available by the departure of Dutch attacking midfielder Huseyin Dogan, who left the club in June.

Over the past two weeks we have seen the goalkeeper and the defenders in front of him decided, so now it's time to turn our attention to the midfield and find out who you consider the main men in the middle.

So, here are the 10 players in contention for our places in the centre of the park. Review the candidates and then select your favourite for this all-star XI in the poll below.