An opening-day 7-0 win over Dushanbe-83 was duly followed by a 2-0 win over CSKA Dushanbe on Sunday, as Tajikistan’s most successful side – and one packed with national team stars - took their first steps towards a potential seventh successive league title.

But while the league is the only game in town at the moment – and one of only a handful of active leagues anywhere in the world – the prospect of success at the continental level hasn’t left the mind of Istiklol’s chief tactician.

As one of the only active leagues in world football, action both on and off the pitch has attracted a surge of international interest in the Tajik title race, while Turkmenistan’s Yokary Liga will return next Sunday.

Join the-AFC.com for all the key news and results from Tursunzoda to Turkmenabat

Sport has been front and centre in my life since I was old enough to kick a ball with my brothers and sister in the backyard, but something like this really puts things into perspective. It’s just not that important right now. People are unwell, scared and stressed, and many have lost loved ones. Kicking a ball doesn’t really register next to the life-changing circumstances that so many are experiencing.

But although now is the time for sport to take a back seat, I want to try and think forward to when this is over. Whether that’s six weeks, six months, or longer, I think that sport is going to be one of the most important tools we have to help people feel normal again. I don’t think that it will just be professional sport, although it will definitely have a role. I believe grassroots sport is going to be equally important in reuniting communities once the threat of coronavirus has passed.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF), the Guam Football Association (GFA), the J.LEAGUE and the Wuhan Football Association have helped by giving donations, promoting public awareness messages and opening training centres to house medical teams.

After featuring club nicknames in the first edition, we next look at six different sides from across the breadth of the Asian Football Confederation and explore the meaning behind their unique club crests.

Al Ittihad set a new standard for dominance, remaining the only team to win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in 2004 and 2005, while Al Hilal’s persistence saw them overcome years of frustration to finally lift the trophy in 2019. the-AFC.com compares Saudi Arabia’s last two continental champions.

Over the past few weeks, we have highlighted some of the finest acrobatic goals, solo goals and volleys as we look back on the moments that have got fans out of their seats. The latest edition of '5 of the Best' showcases stunning strikes from distance, so stand by for some screamers!