Qatar, preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2022, played Luxembourg as an invited team in Group A of the European Qualifiers. They will take on Azerbaijan on Saturday before meeting Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.

The match, which is also part of the qualification process for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, sees the resumption of Group F after a 16-month hiatus, with up to 10,000 fans allowed to enter Dushanbe’s Central Republican Stadium.

The COVID-19 pandemic meant only one match of the Asian Qualifiers was played in 2020, with Qatar defeating Bangladesh 5-0 in Group E in December.

That is set to change with Saudi Arabia to host Palestine and Mongolia to play Japan next week, followed by the completion of the second round of qualifying in June.

A lot of football, however, was played before the COVID-19 pandemic and the the-AFC.com takes a look at the facts and figures so far on the Road to Qatar 2022 and China PR 2023.

Now 21 months on, the East Asians are again the first to act as the continent's qualifying resumes this week. The team, under new boss Rastislav Bozik, take on hosts Tajikistan on Thursday before facing Group F leaders Japan five days later.

Having seen the qualifying fixtures postponed for a year due to COVID-19, the team are hungry to embrace the return to action according to Bozik.

Hwang Ui-jo continued his superb form in front of goal in France, Awer Mabil delivered a three-assist masterclass in Denmark, and a trio of Japanese midfielders – Daichi Kamada, Junya Ito and Yui Hasegawa – starred all over Europe.

Throw in AFC International Player of the week returns for Musa Al Taamari, Nikita Rukavytsya and Aias Aosman, and there are plenty of fine contenders to choose from, so study our nominees, based on Performances from March 17 to 23, and don’t forget to cast your vote.

As the kick-off date for the historic 2021 edition approaches, the-AFC.com looks back at the 2020 tournament which turned out to be a thrilling affair despite the challenging circumstances.

We kicked off the series in style with fans voting Persepolis FC's Mehdi Abdi Qara as the winner of the Best Headers of 2020, Ramin Rezaeian of Al Duhail topped the Best Free-kicks, Al Nassr's Abdulrahman Al Obaid won the Best Long-Range Goals, Abderrazak Hamdallah's strike against Qatar's Al Saad on Matchday One was voted as the winner of the Best Team Goals while Persepolis' Qara topped the Best Last Minute Goals.

Our next instalment looks at some game-defining saves and invites you, the fan, to tell us which was your favourite.

The AFC Cup All-time XI is taking shape, with players from East to West earning the approval of football followers from across the continent, but who will be tasked with adding trickery, creativity and energy from wide positions?

We’ve picked out 12 superb options; some of them known for being prolific scorers, some for their work as providers, and others who are remembered for specific moments in the tournament – and It’s up to you to choose your favourite.

With 122 goals, seven winners’ medals and three MVP awards among the nominees, there is ample quality to choose from, so study our list of contenders and don’t forget to register your vote.

Next week: Strikers