Another week, another raft of Asian stars performing at the peak of their powers on the international stage, but who was the most impressive of all?
Alireza Beiranvand (Royal Antwerp, Iran)
90 minutes, 4 saves, 2 reflex saves, 91% pass accuracy (1-0 v KAA Gent)
Team Melli goalkeeper Beiranvand has had to be patient in his first season at Royal Antwerp, but he delivered arguably his best performance at the club so far on Sunday, earning Player of the Match honors in a 1:0 win on the road.
Gent simply couldn’t find a way past the former Persepolis shot-stopper, who kept his first clean sheet in European club football.
Amir Abedzadeh (Maritimo, Iran)
90 minutes, 2 saves, 1 reflex save (1-0 v Gil Vicente)
One of the best performing Asian goalkeepers in Europe this season, Abedzadeh made impressive saves as Maritimo gained three crucial points against Gil Vicente.
Including his national team performance against Bosnia-Herzegovina in November, Abedzadeh has now kept an excellent five clean sheets in his last eight games.
Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto, Iran)
72 minutes, 1 assist, 78% pass accuracy (1-1 v Benfica)
FC Porto’s in-form Iranian striker officially recorded an assist in Portugal’s O Clássico but it was every bit as good as a goal, with Taremi’s shot deflecting off strike partner Moussa Marega before finding the back of the net.
Taremi now has five goals and two assists in his last five matches, but his evening against Benfica ended 15 minutes early due to a VAR-assisted red card for a late challenge.