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.
Abdi has been already voted as winner of the Best Headers of 2020.
Mehdi Abdi
Persepolis FC v Sharjah, Matchday Six
Persepolis FC came racing out of the blocks as Shojae Khalilzadeh, Isa Al Kasir and Vahid Amiri made it a trio of headed goals in the first half for the Iran side.
With just seconds to go in the final 45 minutes, Persepolis signed off with a fourth goal as substitutes Arman Ramzani and Mehdi Abdi combined with the former setting up a header that Abdi converted from inside the box to make it 4-0 at the final whistle.
Kyogo Furuhashi (Suwon Samsung Bluewings vs Vissel Kobe, Matchday Two), Jun Amano (Shanghai SIPG FC v Yokohama F. Marinos, Matchday Three), Bill (Chiangrai United vs FC Seoul, Matchday Four) and Júnior Negrão (Ulsan Hyundai FC vs Vissel Kobe, Semi-final) are also shortlisted for the award.