2021 AFC Cup Final - The Coach: Ruzikul Berdiev (FC Nasaf)

Clashing for the first time in AFC competitions in the red dominated ground located in Bahrain’s northern island are two of the competition’s perennial contenders, both eyeing a second AFC Cup after a decade away from continental glory.

Both clubs share the honour of being the only side from their respective nations to win an AFC competition and the only ones to compete in an AFC Cup final, but for all their proud history in the AFC Cup and before it the Asian Club Championship, the two sides have never met. In fact, Muharraq have never played any Uzbek opponents and Nasaf have never faced a Bahraini side, making for an intriguing clash of styles as pointed out by Muharraq head coach Isa Al Sadoon.

Born in Bahrain’s northern island of Muharraq and having spent the biggest chunk of his career at his hometown club, Al Sadoon returned for a third spell in charge of the club last year and is now within one match of crowning a lifelong association with Muharraq Club with a continental trophy.

Interning under iconic coach Salman Sharida in the early 2000s, Al Sadoon developed his coaching career through the age group teams at Muharraq, eventually being promoted to an assistant coach post from which he contributed to bringing home Bahraini football’s first-ever continental title as Muharraq Club lifted the 2008 AFC Cup.

Now, after six consecutive wins against opponents from Central Asia and beyond, Ruzikul Berdev’s side are one victory away from expanding on their current status of being the only club from Uzbekistan to win a continental trophy, by becoming the first to win two.

Along the way there have been breakout stars, stunning attacking football and thrilling knockout stage encounters, taking the club from the nation's south one step away from another claiming another piece of Asian football history.

As we edge ever closer to Friday’s decider against Muharraq Club of Bahrain, join the-AFC.com in retracing Nasaf’s steps through the 2021 AFC Cup.

Fresh off the disappointment of 2007 AFC Cup group stage exit, Muharraq went into the 2008 edition determined to repeat the heroics that saw them go all the way to the final on their debut in the competition in 2006.

In that exciting, yet ultimately unsuccessful campaign, Muharraq lost to defending champions Al Faisaly 3-0 in the first leg of the final, but attempted a valiant comeback at home in the second leg that was thwarted in the 91st minute by Siraj Al Tall’s goal for the Jordanian side.