The Qataris produced a trio of outstanding goals, the first of which came after 21 minutes when Edmilson Junior advanced unchallenged from midfield and guided an inch-perfect low shot into the bottom-right corner.

It was the in-form Belgian’s 13th strike in his last 10 appearances, and was no more than the local favourites deserved for an impressive first-half display that should, in truth, have yielded another goal or two.

Having taken a look at the domestic rivalries in the United Arab Emirates, the-AFC.com turns its attention to Saudi Arabia in the latest installment.

Saudi Arabia is rich in football history, and the league contains two of Asia’s most successful teams in the AFC Champions League, while competitiveness among the participating clubs have resulted in several derbies coming along since the inception of the league in 1976.

The opening matches are still more than two months away, but that won’t stop us from breaking down Wednesday's draw and examining what to expect from a mouth-watering selection of groups in the West Zone.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ponder and what to watch from the matches ahead.

In lieu of waiting until April’s kick-off, we are jumping straight into this year’s extended field, analysing the contenders, the challengers and the storylines ahead in the East Zone of Asia’s premier club football competition.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ask and what to watch in the matches ahead.

Bagus, 19, will initially ply his trade with Utrecht's Under-18 squad and has an option to extend his contract by two years, the club said on their website.

Japanese Yoshida was appointed to the post on in June, 2019 and has since instilled an attractive, offensive style of play that has earned plaudits from both players and fans.

The 34-year-old Honda, who also had spells with AC Milan, CSKA Moscow, Dutch sides Vitesse Arnhem and VVV-Venlo, Mexico's Pachuca and Melbourne Victory, revealed his next destination on his audio streaming platform on Thursday.