Japan's position at the top of the Asian rankings, however, will come under threat in the coming weeks as national team football is set to return with the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

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 Best Headers of 2020. Our next installment looks at the fabulous goals scored from free-kicks and invite you, the fan, to tell us which was your favourite.

Despite facing unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the AFC delivered the 2020 AFC Champions League which saw 52 teams from 23 Member Associations, in the most testing of circumstances, competing for Asia’s ultimate club prize.

The report offers a summary of the tournament, which was held across four world class stadiums – three of which will be FIFA World Cup venues – which provided the perfect platform for the best of Asia’s football talent to shine.

Ulsan Hyundai FC of Korea Republic came from behind to beat Persepolis FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the final at the end of a competition dedicated to the true heroes of 2020 – the frontline health workers – under the banner #FootballforHeroes.

Mehdi Taremi and Sam Kerr continued their relentless scoring sprees, Jafar Salmani and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh showed the future is bright, while Musa Al Taamari and Tom Rogic made the most of returns to their club's respective starting line-ups.

But who was Asia’s standout performer outside the continent this week? Study the shortlist below, based on performances from February 10 to 16, and vote for the player you consider the most deserving.

Hailing from a uniquely passionate footballing nation but - with a few notable exceptions - one which has tended to keep its top players on home soil, Indonesia’s youth brigade of 2021 is travelling far and wide in a bid to enhance their prospects of stardom.

So, who are these ambitious youngsters, where are they playing, and what should we expect?

Join the-AFC.com as we profile eight Indonesian players abroad aged 21 or younger – five based in Europe and three in Asia – and let us know which one has the greatest potential.

Marc Klok, Persija Jakarta’s Dutch-Indonesian midfielder, has walked the same path, only in reverse, and is well-positioned to analyse the pressures and possibilities Indonesia’s youngsters will soon grow accustomed to.

In a wide-ranging interview, Klok reveals the benefits of breaking through one’s comfort zone, Bagus Kahfi’s chances of thriving in his former home of Utrecht and his own triumphs and struggles as a footballer navigating a lost year, but with an eye on a bright future

Also Try:

The Asian Football Quiz: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 22, Round 23, Round 24, Round 25, Round 26, Round 27, Round 28, Round 29, Round 30, Round 31, Round 32