Afif was only 23 when he ran out at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011, having made a big contribution to Al Sadd’s second continental title, playing eight matches in their victorious AFC Champions League campaign.

Though he missed Al Sadd’s first two matches in the competition – a 2-1 win over Esperance Sportive de Tunis and a 4-0 semi-final defeat to Barcelona – he came on for the last 18 minutes of the match for third place against host team Kashiwa Reysol, a game Al Sadd won 5-3 on penalties.

The 2021 AFC Champions League will see 40 teams in the group stage - an increase of eight - with one additional group each in the East and West Zones.

The 2021 AFC Cup Group Stage will see 39 clubs competing - an increase of three from 2019 - with a newly-introduced Group for the Central Zone.

This edition will also award the winning team a place in the preliminary stage of the 2022 AFC Champions League.

DID YOU KNOW?

The official 2021 AFC Champions League and 2021 AFC Cup draw is scheduled to take place in a virtual ceremony on January 27, 2021 in Malaysia at 2:30pm and 4:30pm (local time) respectively.

Both club competitions will see a record number of clubs competing in 2021 with two additional groups – one each for the East and West Regions – included in this season’s AFC Champions League Group Stage, which has been expanded from 32 to 40 clubs.

Similarly, the number of clubs in the 2021 Group Stage of the ever-growing AFC Cup may rise to 39 clubs from 36 in the last edition in 2019, with a newly-introduced Group for the Central Zone.

Kuwait were playing their first match in Iraq since their last visit on 15 October 1989 when the Lions of Mesopotamia prevailed 1-0 at Al Shaab International Stadium thanks to a goal from Natiq Hashim.

The 21-year-old Abdullah will join Al Hilal on a free transfer next season as his contract with fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab expires in less than six months.

PAOK did not reveal any financial details of the deal for the 31-year-old, who has played almost 100 times for Japan since making his international debut as a teenager in 2008, scoring 31 goals.

Kagawa moves to Greece after his contract was rescinded at former club Real Zaragoza in October last year.