Also this week, AFC Champions League-conquering Istiklol continued their rise up the table in Tajikistan, while Kyrgyz Republic’s FC Alga reclaimed top spot in the absence of Dordoi.

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Eliminated by their respective defeats to Turkmenistan’s Ahal FC, the two sides will fight to avoid last place in the three-team Group E, with both coaches clear about the importance of leaving the tournament with three points.

Without a win between them so far in the competition, neither side can advance beyond the group stage, but ample motivation exists in both camps to end their respective continental campaigns on a high.

For Alay, that means building on a much-improved second-half performance in Monday’s match against Altyn Asyr, where they chased down a 4-1 deficit to draw level in the dying minutes, only to lose the match to an injury time penalty.

The two sides will clash in the decisive match in Group F, with Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr capable of leapfrogging their opponents into top spot with a win on the final Matchday at Republican Central Stadium.

With seven unanswered goals and the maximum six points from their two earlier matches, 2011 champions Nasaf come into the decider as favourites to advance, but Berdiev insists nothing will be taken for granted against the Yokary Liga champions.

From terrific team goals to amazing acrobatics and fantastic free-kicks, the West Asian clubs have more than contributed their share of memorable AFC Cup highlights.

The-AFC.com turns the clock back to recollect five outstanding entries to the competition's collection ahead of the 2021 AFC Cup's West Zone kick-off on May 21. Don't forget to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article!

Eldor Shomurodov and Maya Yoshida starred in Italy, while Takefusa Kubo made a major impact in Spain and women’s stars from Asia’s two most popular countries made memorable contributions on opposite sides of the globe.

But who deserves this week’s crown? Study our shortlist – based on performances from May 12 to 18 – and cast your vote.

The win strengthened Al Hilal's position at the top of the standings as they claimed their 16th victory of the season to maintain a four-point gap with Al Shabab with two rounds left to play.