The Japanese coach has not selected the Selangor centre-half as a precaution after he suffered a recent concussion, but has included uncapped trio Saifullah Akbar, Idraki Adnan and Ilhan Fandi in a squad captained by new Lions City Sailors signing Hariss Harun.

Hojaahmet Arazov’s side went ahead through an early own goal from Dordoi’s Alexander Mischenko, before the points were made safe by captain Elman Tagayev 12 minutes from time.

Ahal’s tally of six points means they now cannot be overhauled by either Dordoi or Tajikistan’s FC Ravshan, who will complete the Group E schedule with a dead rubber on Thursday.

Having put four past Kyrgyz Republic side FC Alay in their opening match, the 2011 winners romped to a three-goal lead by half-time and went on to protect their advantage, securing a second consecutive win.

With the result, Nasaf move to the top of Group F with six points to their name. They will need to avoid defeat against Altyn Asyr on the final matchday to secure passage to the Zonal finals.

Having started their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Tajikistan’s FC Khujand, Altyn Asyr wasted no time at Central Republican Stadium, taking the game to their opponents straight from kick-off and they were instantly rewarded with goals.

Talisca will be joining the Riyadh giants from China PR side Guangzhou FC, with whom he played three years and won the 2019 Chinese Super League title.

The Finnish coach has picked 16 players from Hong Kong Premier League title chasing duo Eastern and Kitchee as the territory looks to make an impact in Group C against Bahrain, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran and Cambodia.

Tan has named a 25-member training squad with Belgian-based Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, Johor Darul Ta'zim's Arif Aiman Hanapi and naturalised players Liridon Krasniqi and Guilherme de Paula all new inclusions.

Malaysia are on nine points from five matches in Group G of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023. Vietnam are on top with 11 points, Thailand third (8), followed by the UAE (6) and Indonesia, who have yet to register a point after five matches.