When the 2018 AFC Cup's ASEAN Zonal Final kicks off between Ceres Negros and Home United on August 1, it will be another chapter in what has become a series of intriguing clashes between familiar foes.

In fact, it will be the fifth time the two sides have faced each other in the continental competition since they first clashed almost exactly a year ago in the AFC Cup's inaugural Southeast Asian decider.

Ceres were unstoppable in the 2018 season, having won 17 of the 22 games played, drawing three times and losing just twice.

Familiar foes Ceres Negros and Home United will clash in the 2018 AFC Cup's ASEAN Zonal Final on August 1 and August 8 when the 2017 ASEAN Zonal finalists meet once more in this year's edition. Filipino club Ceres also faced Singaporean side Home in this year's Group Stage, with the latter edging them out on head-to-head record to top Group F.

The-AFC.com spoke to two experts ahead of the vital tie to get their views.

Singaporean Gabriel Tan (@gabetan13) is the football editor at FOX Sports Asia, while Cedelf Tupas (@CedelfptINQ) is a Philippines Football Expert and Journalist for Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Seven remaining teams vie for the 2018 AFC Cup title as the action returns after the summer break, and from DPR Korea to Iraq to the Philippines and Turkmenistan, players have put their talent on display as they aim for personal and team glory. Here are four names who have shone brightly this term and will hope to continue impressing as their sides pursue continental glory.

In five months of fixtures since the start of the 2018 AFC Cup group stage, 116 games have been played, 370 goals have been scored, and seven teams remain standing. With the tournament set to resume on August 1 with the ASEAN Zonal Final first leg, we look back at the 2018 edition so far.

After two preliminary rounds and a play-off round, the group stage of the 2018 AFC Cup got underway in mid-February and in the West, there were two teams in particular who shone.

Two scorchers from a semi-final classic in Kuwait, and a trio of unstoppable strikes from the ASEAN, Central and South Zones all make the grade in a quintet of knockout stage goals to whet your appetite ahead of the return of the 2018 AFC Cup.

Take a moment to review the nominees, before selecting your favourite in our poll.

A nation was expecting ahead of the visit of Tajikistan in March. Having won two and drawn three of their five games in the third round of AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifiers, the Philippines stood on the verge of creating history ahead of their final Group F game against the Central Asians at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium. 

Unbeaten and two points clear of their opponents, and Yemen, at the top of the standings, their task was simple: avoid defeat and qualify for the competition for the first time. The achievement would cap a remarkable rise from ASEAN minnows to joining Asia’s elite at the continental competition. 

The hosts had enjoyed the better of the first half but failed to make their advantage count; however, the game was turned on its head just after the hour. 

After the Philippines had failed to clear a Tajikistan attack, Nuriddin Davronov burst into the box and was impeded by the tracking back Kevin Ingreso. The referee pointed to the spot and the crowd was stunned into silence. Akhtam Nazarov converted and the Southeast Asians’ hopes of qualifying were up in the air.