The 60-year-old, who won 77 caps and had a reputation as a no-nonsense centre-back in his playing days, has been made defensive coach for the Chinese Super League (CSL) side.

He joins head coach Dragan Stojkovic, the former Yugoslav great under whom R&F have forged a reputation for attacking football - but also conceding goals.

R&F are mid-table in the CSL but have shipped 45 goals in 19 games, the worst defensive record in the league.

Hamdallah, 28, played a vital role as Al Nassr edged Al Hilal by just one point to win the 2018-19 Saudi Pro League title.

The Moroccan scored 49 goals in all competitions, and bettered the 19-year-old Saudi Pro League topscorer record held by Hamza Edris for 19 years with a phenomenal 34 goals.

In the day’s earlier game, Jonathan Soriano’s brace along with goals from Mohammed Al Shalhoub, Nasser Al Dawsari, Omar Khrbin, Hatan Bahbri and Ahmad Sharaf saw a largely second-string Al Hilal side run out 7-1 winners against NK Brine Grosuplje who play in Slovenia’s third tier.

Doi played in both legs when Kashima slid out at the Round of 16 phase at the hands of the Chinese Super League club – and two-time AFC Champions League winners – as Antlers continued a dismal record of failing to advance to the last eight for the fourth time since 2009.

But, with their confidence since boosted by their first-ever title win last year, Doi is convinced he and his teammates can avenge that loss and keep alive their dream of claiming back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.

The two-time FIFA World Cup winner retired from competitive football in May following a stellar career which also saw him claim a plethora of Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League crowns.

Having bowed out on a high thanks to 2018-19 Qatar Stars League title success as a player with Al Sadd, the 39-year-old is adamant that his thirst for silverware remains the same as his charges prepare for a new domestic campaign and knockout stage action in the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Ahead of the Round of 16, the quartet of Guangzhou Evergrande, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Kashima Antlers and Urawa Red Diamonds in the East Zone had all won the coveted trophy, while in the West, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad and Al Sadd had done likewise.

With two-time winners Jeonbuk having now departed, there are five former AFC Champions League winners still in the mix. Three of those sides, meanwhile, will look to create history by becoming the first team to lift the trophy on three occasions – the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the trio.

The 45-year-old Dutch tactician took over from compatriot Henk Ten Cate in June, and has been using the camp to familiarise himself with the players.