The Malaysian champions made their group stage bow in the 2019 AFC Champions League and, despite not advancing, turned heads with fighting performances which included defeating 2018 winners Kashima Antlers.

With Johor Darul Ta'zim providing the core of the players for the Malaysia national team fighting for a place in the next round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and a confirmed slot in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, Tan said the experience of playing against Asia's top clubs have benefitted Harimau Malaya.

Tan shares his thoughts with the-AFC.com.

Thousands of fans greeted the squad upon their return to Riyadh after a 2-0 win in the second leg of the final at the Saitama Stadium on Sunday gave the Saudi Pro League side a 3-0 aggregate win over two-time AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds.

Al Hilal avenged their defeat against the same opponents two years ago to become the first club from Saudi Arabia to secure the title since Al Ittihad claimed the second of their back-to-back crowns in 2005 to erase bitter memories of previous final failure.

Kuala Lumpur: Salem Al Dawsari has been named as the Toyota Player of the Week for the second leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League final after the winger scored the opener in Al Hilal’s 2-0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds that secured the Continental title for the Saudi side.

It was a moment of sweet redemption for Al Dawsari, who had been sent off in the final two years ago against the same opponents. The Saudi Arabia international clipped home on 74 minutes from close range after smart inter-play from Salman Al Faraj and Sebastian Giovinco.

As well as his goal, Al Dawsari had four shots on target, created one chance for his teammates and made 25 successful passe to earn a 9.4 rating.

As he was in the first leg, Peruvian Andre Carrillo (below) comes next on the list after another impressive performance from the dynamic wide froward.

Jang’s performance at the heart of the Saudi Arabian club’s defence kept Urawa Red Diamonds at bay before goals from Salem Al Dawsari and Bafetimbi Gomis ensured the club from Riyadh finally won the title.

Gomis scored 11 goals in Al Hilal's campaign, which saw the Saudi Arabia side win the AFC Champions League title after defeating Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 on aggregate, with the former France international scoring Al Hilal's second goal in Sunday's 2-0 second leg win at the Saitama Stadium.

Gomis' goals and leadership played a pivotal role in Al Hilal's triumph, a first for the club after having fallen in the 2014 and 2017 finals.

Gomis was a mainstay in Al Hilal's campaign, featuring in all 14 matches the Saudi club played en route to winning the title.

At the second AFC Executive Committee meeting of the 2019-2023 cycle, chaired by longest-serving AFC Vice President and FIFA Council member, Saoud Al Mohannadi, in the absence of President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, it was decided to grow the two competitions.

From the 2021 season, the AFC Champions League will be expanded to 40 clubs with an extra group of four being added in both the East and West zones and further growing the reputation of one of the richest Continental club competitions in the world.