Al Hilal, who are bidding to win their 16th Saudi Pro League title, will also be counting on the experienced Marega to power them in the 2021 AFC Champions League, with the 2019 winners having sealed a place in the Round of 16.

Ahead of the 2021 AFC Cup kick-off, we look back at the tournament's history, reviewing every campaign and champion since 2004.

Sam Kerr sealed team and individual honours for Chelsea, Mehdi Taremi continued his brilliant debut season for Porto, while even a Tottenham defeat couldn’t prevent Son Heung-min from starring in the Premier League.

There were also dazzling displays from players in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Romania and Kazakhstan, but who was the week’s outstanding performer?

Study the contenders, based on performances from May 5 to 11, and cast your vote!

Bishkek will play host to the group, which is set to provide new twists on old regional rivalries, with only one side to advance to the Zonal final alongside the winners of the Dushanbe-based Group F.

As the countdown to the kick-off continues, join the-AFC.com as we run the rule over the participating sides.

In the Dushanbe-based Group F, Uzbekistan’s Nasaf return for the first time since becoming the competition’s only Central Asian champions a decade ago, while FC Khujand, FC Alay and Altyn Asyr will continue their search for a continental breakthrough.

So, who are the stars, what are their stories and who is likely to join the winners of Group G in the knockout stage? Join the-AFC.com as we analyse the contenders.

Going into the tie in the driver's seat for the title, Marcel Keizer’s side made no mistakes as they won their third UAE Pro League title ahead of Baniyas, who were held 1-1 by Al Wahda FSCC in their final match as Al Jazira finished on 57 points.

The 37-year-old, who scored the winning goal when Spain defeated the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup final in 2010, joined Vissel in 2018 after a stellar club career with Barcelona, which saw him win four UEFA Champions League titles and nine La Liga crowns.