Established names have proven themselves, while young talents have emerged in the six matchdays of the group stage. the-AFC.com profiles eight key players who have guided their teams into the next round.

Doha: Esteghlal FC's Mehdi Ghaedi has been voted by the fans as the 2020 AFC Champions League Matchday Six Toyota Player of the Week.

Ghaedi, who shone during the Iranian side's 3-0 win over Al Ahli Saudi FC on Matchday Six, was top of OPTA's ratings after he received an impressive 8.6 rating following a goal and an assist in the comprehensive victory for the Tehran giants and the fans agreed.

With six teams having already sealed their places going into Thursday's matches, what was to be decided were the two teams who would advance from Group C and the top two positions in Group D.

Shojae Khalilzadeh gave Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis the lead after only two minutes before Issa Al Kasir and Vahid Amiri added two more goals towards the end of the first half with substitute Mehdi Abdi Qara contributing the fourth in stoppage time.

The win meant 2018 finalists Persepolis finished top of Group C and will face Qatar's Al Sadd SC in the Round of 16 on Sunday, having been eliminated at the group stage last year.

Shojae Khalilzadeh put Persepolis in the lead inside two minutes, Isa Al Kasir and Vahid Amiri added goals in the final five minutes of the first half before a late Mehdi Abdi Qara goal completed the win, sending the Iranians into the Round of 16 as group winners.

They will play Qatar's Al Sadd in what promises to be an enticing Round of 16 tie on Sunday.

Goals from Reza Mirzaei and Sajjad Shahbazzadeh either side of the half time break were enough to win the tie for the Islamic Republic of Iran side, while youngster Hashim Ali’s consolation came eight minutes from time.