With the 20 remaining teams from East Asia set to begin their continental campaigns a little later in the year, the-AFC.com looks at some of the numbers that stand out ahead of the start of the 19th edition of the AFC Champions League.
40 – The record number of teams that will compete in the 2021 AFC Champions League, with holders Ulsan Hyundai among the contenders.
10 – The teams will be split into 10 groups, with five in the West Zone and five in the East Zone. UAE side Sharjah (above) are among the hosts.
7 – Seven former winners will take part in the 2021 edition: Al Hilal, Al Sadd, Gamba Osaka, Guangzhou Evergrande, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Pohang Steelers and Ulsan Hyundai.
16 – Al Hilal are making a record 16th appearance in the group stage, a total that would have been 17 was it not for their COVID-19 enforced withdrawal in 2020.
1 – FC Goa (India), Al Wehdat (Jordan), FC Istiklol (Tajikistan) and United City (Philippines) will become the first sides from their respective countries to appear in the ACL.
13 – The number of years since three-time AFC Cup winners Air Force Club of Iraq, who qualified after beating Al Wehda on penalties, last appeared in the group stage.
4 – It's been four years since 2008 winners Gamba Osaka featured in the tournament. They will return for the 10th time when the AFC Champions League (East) begins later this year.
2 – Tampines Rovers will become just the second side from Singapore to compete in the group stage. The country was last represented by Singapore Armed Forces in 2010.
7 – After defeating Al Gharafa in the playoff round, AGMK will become the seventh side from Uzbekistan to appear in the group stage.
10 – Qatar's Al Rayyan, managed by French legend Laurent Blanc, will attempt to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their 10th appearance in the AFC Champions League group stage.
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