Iraq's Air Force Club, who created history by winning a third consecutive title in 2018, will not feature as they will be playing in the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Kuwait's Qadsia SC, who won the title in 2014, will begin their continental campaign in West Asia's Group C where they have Al Ahed from Lebanon, Bahrain's Malkiya Club and Al Suwaiq of Oman for company.

The 23-year-old's fantastic goal on Matchday Two came in a memorable 4-1 victory over Singapore's Tampines Rovers at a packed Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The superb strike also saw him become the first Indonesian to score for Persija at the 2018 AFC Cup and gained him 58 percent of the vote to win the poll.

Ahmed, 29, put his team on the road to a historic third title with his strike in the 22nd minute, his eighth goal of the 2018 campaign, ensuring Air Force Club took a firm hold of the final in front of their adoring fans.

""I dedicate this award to the club management, the technical team, my colleagues, and most importantly, to my family," said Ahmed.

"We went into the game with great desire to win the title, our coach watched Altyn Asyr's previous matches and had a detailed plan for us."

The hosts came racing out of the blocks as Hammadi Ahmed found space inside the box and rounded goalkeeper Mamed Orazmuhamedov, but the Altyn Asyr defence recovered, forcing the forward wide. Ahmed laid off the ball for Ali Husni whose effort was blocked in the fifth minute.

Ahmed had a golden chance to open the scoring in the 15th minute when he received Ibrahim Bayesh’s cross from the right flank, but the Air Force Club captain’s shot was collected by Orazmuhamedov.

The deadlock was finally broken halfway through the opening period. Defender Mekan Saparov floundered his attempt to clear a through pass, and the ball reached Ahmed who applied a calm finish from close range for his eighth goal of the campaign in the 22nd minute.

Having won their first two AFC Cup titles on foreign soil, Air Force Club were determined to celebrate a third triumph in front of their fans, said Qasim who returned to helm the side just several months ago after having guided them to the 2016 crown.

"We gift this win to Iraq football fans in general, Basra fans and to the Air Force Club fans who we had promised to bring more achievements," said Qasim.

The 4.25 SC captain finished two goals ahead of Bienvenido Maranon of the Philippines’ Ceres Negros and Sekou Sylla of Myanmar's Yangon United.

With 4.25 SC eliminated from the tournament at the Inter-Zone final stage by Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr, An's involvement in the AFC Cup was brought to an end at the penultimate stage.

But he remained on top of the scoring charts ahead of Saturday’s final between holders Air Force Club of Iraq and Altyn Asyr with Altymyrat Annadurdyyev of the latter the closest – on eight goals prior to kick off – still four goals behind the DPR Korean.

Annadurdyyev, though, was unable to add to his tally as Air Force Club ran out 2-0 winners and An’s 12 goals proved enough to confirm him as the top scorer.