Benitez cited concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for his departure from the club he joined in July 2019 on a lucrative contract following the conclusion of his stint with English Premier League side Newcastle United.

DID YOU KNOW?

The official 2021 AFC Champions League and 2021 AFC Cup draw is scheduled to take place in a virtual ceremony on January 27, 2021 in Malaysia at 2:30pm and 4:30pm (local time) respectively.

Both club competitions will see a record number of clubs competing in 2021 with two additional groups – one each for the East and West Regions – included in this season’s AFC Champions League Group Stage, which has been expanded from 32 to 40 clubs.

Similarly, the number of clubs in the 2021 Group Stage of the ever-growing AFC Cup may rise to 39 clubs from 36 in the last edition in 2019, with a newly-introduced Group for the Central Zone.

The global partnership encompasses major AFC competitions, including but not limited to the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar, Asia’s flagship national team competition, the AFC Asian Cup, which is set to take place in China PR in June 2023, and the Continent’s pinnacle club competition the AFC Champions League.

The 30-year-old shot-stopper resoundingly won the award, which recognises the best performer in the 2020 AFC Champions League season, based on votes from a combination of fans and independent experts.

Lak prevailed ahead of Ulsan Hyundai FC midfielder Yoon Bit-garam, who finished second having received the official award for the competition’s Most Valuable Player following the final in Doha on December 19.

The award recognises club and national team performances of Asian men’s players registered to professional clubs outside of the AFC.

The 20-year-old edged out Japan’s Saki Kumagai and national teammates Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr to win the award, which recognises women players from AFC Member Associations for their performances for club and country in the 2020 calendar year.

The youngest player to be shortlisted for the award, Carpenter has been acknowledged for an exceptional 2020, which included achievements for two clubs as well as the Australian women’s national team.

The award recognises Asian men’s players (aged 23 or younger on December 31, 2020) for their performances in senior club and youth and senior national teams during the 2020 calendar year.

Ghayedi edged out countryman Mehdi Abdi Qara to win the award, with Korea Republic’s AFC U23 Championship Most Valuable Player Won Du-jae finishing third.