The AFC Executive Committee yesterday stressed the importance of ensuring its much-sought after properties, such as the world-class AFC Asian Cup, AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup as well as all the other age-group, futsal and beach soccer events, are properly guarded.

In the first ever AFC Executive Committee meeting to be held online, Shaikh Salman praised all the Member Associations for the way that they had contributed to the health and wellbeing of their communities during the recent crisis.

He said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I thank you all for the work of your initiatives and the work of your MAs on behalf of your communities during this troubled time.”

Victory languish in 10th place in the 11-team A-League standings and make their first appearance since the post-COVID-19 shutdown when they face Western United harbouring slim hopes of breaking into the top six to secure a place in the Championship playoffs.

But Melbourne, who are also playing in the 2020 AFC Champions League, will have to face Mark Rudan’s side without the former Bayer Leverkusen man, who picked up an injury to his left knee that means he will play no part in what remains of the campaign.

The Islamic Republic of Iran star scored once for the league champions in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Rostov in the season finale to take his tally to 17 goals.

The 2020 season was originally scheduled to begin in late February but postponed before a ball was kicked; however, a rejigged version with two groups of eight teams will begin on Saturday, with Group A based in Dalian and Group B in Suzhou.

Each side will play the other teams in their group twice before those finishing in the top four progress to a knockout round Championship Stage to decide the 2020 Chinese Super League winners, with the bottom four entering into a Relegation Stage where they will face off in a bid to avoid dropping into the second tier.

The China PR international spoke exclusively to the-AFC.com on his views ahead of the 2020 season's kick-off, his thoughts on playing on familiar surrounds and the absence of former mentor Zeng Cheng.

Despite commendable performances in their four games to date, the South Asian side have picked up just a solitary point – from last October’s meeting with India.

In a recent interview with FIFA.com, Day insisted his side could have collected more points given their solid showing thus far in the group stage.