With three AFC Champions League titles within its clubs and a number of the finest Asian players from Australia to Syria, the 2020-21 Saudi Pro League presents plenty of excitement. the-AFC.com looks at five captivating storylines to follow in the upcoming season.

The attack-minded left-back became the first Iraqi player to play in Italy’s Serie A when he signed for Udinese in 2015. The 26-year-old then created more history when he moved to North America to play for Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019. By joining the Canadian outfit, Adnan became the first Iraqi-born player to appear in Major League Soccer.

Having set these unique milestones, the Iraqi international is well positioned to provide insight on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the impact it will have on the region he calls home.

Adnan took time from his busy schedule with the Whitecaps to speak to qatar2022.qa about the first World Cup that will be played in the Middle East and Arab world, as well as his hopes to lead his country – known as the Lions of Mesopotamia – to their first FIFA World Cup Finals appearance since 1986.

The one-week training camp - to be held following the conclusion of the V.League - will begin on either November 15 or 18 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Centre in Hanoi.

Tajikistan’s most capped international with 68 appearances, Fatkhulloev joins Csaba László’s side on a one-season deal from Tajikistan League runners-up FC Khujand.

Indeed, records fell in 2018 as the AFC Cup's biggest crowd was recorded in Indonesia and Iraq's Air Force Club claimed an unprecedented third title in a row, while the goals flowed from start to finish.

In what is arguably the world's most diverse club football tournament, the next stunning strikes come from West and South Asia as we bring you two more goals that lit up the AFC Cup.

In a departure from our usual weekly poll, we’ve narrowed down the best performers from the various international matches featuring Asian sides over the last week, now it’s up to you to decide who was Asia’s standout player over the international break.

Here are our eight nominees: