the-AFC.com takes a look back at the halcyon days of the game in a city the Asian Football Confederation once called home.

In lieu of waiting until April’s kick-off, we are jumping straight into this year’s extended field, analysing the contenders, the challengers and the storylines ahead in the East Zone of Asia’s premier club football competition.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ask and what to watch in the matches ahead.

The opening matches are still more than two months away, but that won’t stop us from breaking down Wednesday's draw and examining what to expect from a mouth-watering selection of groups in the West Zone.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ponder and what to watch from the matches ahead.

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.

We kick off the series with the United Arab Emirates, a country passionate for its football where several clubs compete season after season for top honours and, understandably, which can bring about bragging rights as well after downing a rival.

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, defending champions Al Nassr put on a second half show with goals from Brazilian midfielder Petros Matheus, 2020 AFC Champions League top scorer Abderrazak Hamdallah and Sami Al Najei to claim victory.

It is a swift return to Doha for Korea Republic side Ulsan Hyundai, who won the 2020 AFC Champions League title on December 19 at Al Janoub Stadium after defeating Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis 2-1 in the final.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC, meanwhile, qualified for the tournament after winning the CAF Champions League for a record ninth time thanks to a 2-1 victory over Zamalek SC.