the-AFC.com looks back at a match that captured global attention and ended with a first-ever Iranian World Cup win.

We began with the 2017 edition's best goalkeeper, next came the candidates for the backline and now it's time to shine the spotlight on the more attacking positions as we highlight the 10 standout candidates in midfield.

From Omar Abdulrahman to Paulinho, this list features some of the biggest talents in Asian football, so review the nominees and then choose your favourites for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Helping us analyse our star-studded shortlist is Denis Romantsov, a football journalist for the Russian Premier League’s major broadcaster, Match TV.

With several players joining the league from East, West and especially Central Asia, the competition has been a league of interest for Asian fans since its inception in 1992.

It has played host to star players from some of the continent’s biggest football nations, with League, Cup and European silverware all won by Asian players.

But who stands out from our list of nominees?

Having arrived in the United Arab Emirates with an already burgeoning reputation, the livewire forward went on to find the net a record nine times – the last of which was a particularly magical moment in the final – and be named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

That accolade, along with the award for finishing as top goalscorer, was roundly applauded, a nod to Ali’s prowess following a campaign which saw him shine brightly yet again for Felix Sanchez’s charges as they claimed Qatar’s first-ever AFC Asian Cup crown.

After featuring fabulous free-kicks, long-range stunners and individual brilliance, this week's edition takes in one of our most popular categories: acrobatic goals. Athletic, exciting and often jaw-dropping, enjoy these magnificent efforts and then select your favourite by voting at the bottom of the article.

Last week we presented the candidates for the best goalkeeper, and now it's time to turn our attention to defenders. With candidates from Korea Republic, Japan and Saudi Arabia, here are the eight players in contention for the places in the backline.

Review the nominees and then choose your favourite for this all-star XI in the poll below.