Fresh from an impressive run of results in Turkey in February, the Central Asian champions will play host to the two visiting teams at Almalyk’s AGMK Stadium,

Uzbekistan will meet India in April 5, with India to face Belarus three days later, before the hosts close out the international window against the European side on April 11.

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.

While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic ruled nearly all their Asian counterparts out of international action last month, the Central Asian side were in Turkey, competing against two African opponents, as well as the outstanding team in Russian club football, and they emerged with renewed belief in their long-term mission.

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

The friendly kicked off the two sides preparation for the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Oman were the better side in the first half but they failed to create any notable chances while Jordan improved in the second period but they couldn’t score from the chances they created.

The two sides are preparing for the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 with India also facing Oman in another friendly on Thursday.

Syria will take on Bahrain on Thursday with Iran to follow five days later as they ramp up their preparations for the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.