Also on Thursday, India’s two-match stint in Uzbekistan ended in a second successive narrow defeat as they fell 2-1 to Belarus.

Confined to her Wuhan apartment when China’s qualifying campaign began last February, Wang returned to the line-up and struck the decisive blow at Goyang Stadium, easing home her spot-kick in the 73rd minute after Zhang Xin and Kang Chae-rim had traded first half goals.

Thursday’s result means China’s qualification will be confirmed if they can avoid defeat in Tuesday’s second leg in Suzhou, with Colin Bell’s Korea Republic facing an uphill battle to achieve their dream of a maiden Olympic qualification.

The Serbian midfielder’s 120th-minute strike proved decisive as AGMK beat Qatar’s Al Gharafa 1-0 in extra-time in their qualifying playoff in Doha, taking the Uzbek club to the tournament proper for the first time.

The win makes AGMK the seventh team from Uzbekistan to reach that stage, and the first club from the nation to make their group stage debut since PFC Lokomotiv in 2015.

With an Australian hat-trick in England, Iranian goalkeeping heroics in Portugal and a Japanese double act in Belgium just a sample of the memorable contributions, there are several worthy candidates for this week’s crown.

But who was the week’s outstanding Asian player abroad? We’ve narrowed it down to a 10-player shortlist, based on performances from April 1 to 7.

Take a look at the nominees below and don’t forget to cast your vote.

The Dutch coach, who returned to the UAE club last month, found his side trailing one minute into the second half when Alaa Abdulzahra gave Al Zawraa the lead despite Al Wahda having dominated the first period.

However, Al Wahda equalised through 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Khrbin in the 62nd minute before Ibrahim Khalil fired the winning goal in the 77th to take his team into Group E, joining Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC, Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC and FC Goa of India.

Air Force found themselves trailing to Youssoufou Niakate's goal after 24 minutes but second half substitute Aymen Hussein's dramatic equaliser in the second minute of added time forced the match into extra time and then the penalty shootout, which the Iraqi side won 3-2.

The win means Air Force Club join UAE’s Sharjah FC, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Tractor and Pakhtakor FC of Uzbekistan in Group B of the 2021 AFC Champions League in Sharjah.

Ahead of the start of the tournament, FC Goa captain Edu Bedia elaborated about the club’s chances in the tournament and how the team is shaping up before the start of the competition in comparison to the Indian Super League (ISL).