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Football

AFC: Attacking players in fine form

The AFC Champions League east region has reached the quarter-final stage, with four teams targeting a final clash with Persepolis of Iran.

Soccer Football - AFC Champions League - Group G - Vissel Kobe v Suwon Bluewings - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 4, 2020  Suwon Bluewings' Gun-Hee Kim in action with Vissel Kobe's Ryuho Kikuchi REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
IBRAHEEM AL OMARIREUTERS

The quarter-final draw was staged in the Qatari capital of Doha last Tuesday to produce two tough encounters, with Japanese Vissel Kobe set to take on Suwon Samsung Bluewings, while  Beijing FC are to face Ulsan Hyundai.

The AFC website selected one attacking player from each squad that may make the difference for his team in the upcoming rounds.

Kyogo Furuhashi – Vissel Kobe (Japan)

Soccer Football - AFC Champions League - Round of 16 - Vissel Kobe v Shanghai SIPG - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 7, 2020 Vissel Kobe's Kyogo Furuhashi in action REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
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Soccer Football - AFC Champions League - Round of 16 - Vissel Kobe v Shanghai SIPG - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 7, 2020 Vissel Kobe's Kyogo Furuhashi in action REUTERS/Ibraheem Al OmariIBRAHEEM AL OMARIREUTERS

The Japanese forward is considered one of Vissel Kobe's most powerful weapons in front of the goal as he grows into the team's top scorer domestically and and has also shown his worth on the continental level, with his brilliant partnership with midfield maestro Andrés Iniesta. The winger started two games in which he had seven shots and created four chances while he managed to net two goals in this campaign so far.

Bjorn Johnsen – Ulsan Hyundai (Korea Republic)

Ulsan's forward Bjorn Maars Johnsen (R) celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions League round of 16 football match between Korea's Ulsan Hyundai and Australia's Melbourne Victory on December 6, 2020 at the Education City Stadium in the Qatari city of
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Ulsan's forward Bjorn Maars Johnsen (R) celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions League round of 16 football match between Korea's Ulsan Hyundai and Australia's Melbourne Victory on December 6, 2020 at the Education City Stadium in the Qatari city of KARIM JAAFARAFP

Despite not having been a regular in this season's K League 1 campaign, the Norwegian has stolen the spotlight since the competition resumed in Doha. The 29-year-old has been making the best out of his increased game time, providing Junior Negrao’s 89th-minute goal in their 2-0 victory over Perth Glory of Australia before netting four goals in two matches.

Alan – Beijing FC (China)

Beijing's forward Alan controls the ball during the AFC Champions League round of 16 football match between China's Beijing FC and Japan's FC Tokyo on December 6, 2020 at the Education City Stadium in the Qatari city of Ar-Rayyan. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR /
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Beijing's forward Alan controls the ball during the AFC Champions League round of 16 football match between China's Beijing FC and Japan's FC Tokyo on December 6, 2020 at the Education City Stadium in the Qatari city of Ar-Rayyan. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR /KARIM JAAFARAFP

Asian football fans are aware of the Brazilian's quality and capabilities as he managed to net 11 times for Guangzhou Evergrande during the 2017 and 2018 editions of the AFC Champions League.

Since joining Beijing FC on loan, Alan has been delivering brilliant performances, scoring four goals in five appearances including the winner against FC Tokyo in the round of 16, depsite only starting three of these games and coming off the bench twice.

Kim Gun-hee – Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Korea Republic)

The South-Korean forward has played an important role along with other teammates to help the team through to the last eight. Kim, who is not a regular starter yet, is known for his good headers and bringing others into play. Having completed just 10 minutes of action prior to Suwon's must-win final Group G game against Vissel Kobe, Kim came on as a half-time substitute and headed home their opening goal just minutes later before the K League 1 side eventually secured the 2-0 victory they needed to advance.