A record 40 teams split into 10 groups will take part in the 2021 AFC Champions League as the competition continues to go from strength to strength, showcasing Asia's finest teams and numerous world-renowned players.

Three of the inaugural four titles went to West Asian sides, then the power shifted with clubs from Japan and Korea Republic splitting the following four between 2007 and 2010. Next up we look at a period that saw a return to two legged finals and one of the all-time greatest sporting shocks.

As the long journey towards a new continental champion being crowned begins, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the most memorable playoff matches from the West over the years.

From dramatic penalty shootouts involving star names to late drama and stunning comebacks, there's plenty to whet your appetite as Asia's premier club competition draws ever nearer.

A record 40 teams split into 10 groups will take part in the 2021 AFC Champions League as the competition continues to go from strength to strength, showcasing Asia's finest teams and numerous world-renowned players.

Having looked at the first four editions of the tournament, dominated by West Asian teams who won three out of the inaugural four titles, the second part of this series revisits the years 2007 to 2010, a period that saw the power balance shift as East Asia completed a clean sweep of titles.

A record 40 teams split into 10 groups will take part in the 2021 AFC Champions League as the competition continues to go from strength to strength, showcasing Asia's finest teams and numerous world-renowned players.

Almost 20 years ago, Asian football moved into an exciting new era as the AFC Champions League saw the merger of the Asian Club Championship and Asian Cup Winners' Cup in 2002-03, and that's where we start our look back at the tournament through the years.

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, 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, his teammate Hamed Lak won the Best Saves, while Pedro Conde topped the Best Clinical Finishes.

For our final week, we have a selection of seven scorers celebrating their goals in unique styles and invite you, the fan, to tell us which was your favourite.

Fans from across the continent and beyond have had their say regarding the tournament’s greatest players, but the race to determine which the tournament’s greatest ever coach is only just beginning.

Hailing from Asia, Europe and South America, we’ve selected 10 of the competition’s outstanding coaches, all of whom achieved team success or historical firsts, now it’s up to you to study the shortlist and register your vote.

Next week: AFC Cup All-time XI revealed.

Al Hilal SFC, meanwhile, will be aiming to restart their Saudi Pro League campaign with a bang while in Qatar, Al Sadd are two matches away from ending the domestic season unbeaten.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the domestic action in West Asia following the international break.