With the 2018 FIFA World Cup just weeks away from kicking off in Russia, with Saudi Arabia playing the host nation in the opening match in Moscow on 14 June, we take a look at five iconic goals scored by Asian players in FIFA World Cup history.

Chairman of Saudi Arabia's Sport Authority Turki Al-Sheikh, tweeted a photograph of the meeting on Wednesday.

"His Highness the Saudi Crown Prince receives players of the national team before their World Cup mission. God willing, they will fulfil our expectations," tweeted Al-Sheikh.

Saudi Arabia, who are in Group A, will have the honour of appearing in the tournament opener when they face hosts Russia on June 14. Also in the group are Egypt and Uruguay.

Saudi Arabia will be appearing in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2006.  

Photo: Turki Al-Sheikh

"He is a good player," the then Tianjin coach told the Korean visitor about Kwon. "He is capable of playing in European leagues. It would be the national team's loss should he not be called up."

It is little known how much of his advice was taken into account. But sure enough, Kwon earned his first national team cap a couple of months later, debuting in a friendly against Russia during which he was on target.

Just last week, the Tianjin centre-back was named in Shin Tae-yong's 28-man provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, an interesting inclusion for a relatively new face who has just four international appearances to his name.

Leading from the back or scoring memorable goals at the grandest of stages, these 5 players set the bar high for Asian players as five Asian countries head to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.