While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic ruled nearly all their Asian counterparts out of international action last month, the Central Asian side were in Turkey, competing against two African opponents, as well as the outstanding team in Russian club football, and they emerged with renewed belief in their long-term mission.

As the kick-off date for the historic 2021 edition approaches, the-AFC.com looks back at the 2020 tournament which turned out to be a thrilling affair despite the challenging circumstances.

We kicked off the series in style with fans voting Persepolis FC's Mehdi Abdi Qara as the winner of the Best Headers of 2020, Ramin Rezaeian of Al Duhail topped the Best Free-kicks of 2020, Al Nassr's Abdulrahman Al Obaid won the Best Long-Range Goals of 2020, while Abderrazak Hamdallah's strike against Qatar's Al Saad on Matchday One was voted as the winner of the Best Team Goals of 2020.

Our next instalment looks at the goals scored right at the very end and invites you, the fan, to tell us which was your favourite.

Who would you select in an all-time AFC Cup XI? To celebrate the return of the competition in 2021, the-AFC.com is asking the football fans of Asia exactly that.

More than 100,000 football fans from throughout the continent have already selected a goalkeeper and three defenders in our 3-4-3 formation, but who will be tasked with pulling the strings in the centre of the park?

Azmoun returned to the scoresheet in Russia, Sam Kerr lit up the UEFA Women’s Champions League, plus moments of inspiration from Mahmoud Wadi, Gulzhigit Alykulov and more in another impressive week from Asian players outside the continent.

But who stood out above all others? Study our contenders, based on performances from March 3 to 9, and don’t forget to register your vote at the bottom of the page.

Al Jalil, who will be playing in the top flight this season, earned their first ever trophy after edging Al Wehdat in a penalty shootout after the final ended 1-1.

Bipin capitalised on a last-gasp goalkeeping error from ATK Mohun Bagan’s Arindam Bhattacharya to stroke home the winner after being supplied by Bartholomew Ogbehce, who showed great poise to set up what proved to be the decisive goal.

Mumbai City’s late winner came after the two sides had traded goals in the first half, as Sergio Lobera’s side became the second team in Indian Super League history to win the playoffs having finished on top of the regular season table.

China PR will host Group A which comprises leaders Syria, Philippines, Maldives and Guam with Kuwait confirmed as the host for Group B which includes Australia, Jordan, Nepal and Chinese Taipei.