Akram Afif
Forward, Al Sadd

One of Qatar's heroes from their AFC Asian Cup 2019-winning campaign, Akram Afif has seemlessly transferred his superlative form from national team to club side at this year's AFC Champions League.

Of players remaining in the tournament, Afif has created more chances than any other (26) and along with teammate Gabi has the most successful passes into the final third (147).

Not just the leading playmaker in the 2019 edition, Afif has also been a goalscorer as well as provider with his four goals leading Al Sadd's scorers. Moreoever, his goals come at crucial times: three of them from the four knockout stage ties so far.

In 2018, striker Baghdad Bounedjah and Spain legend Xavi drove Al Sadd to the semi-finals but with the Algerian having lost his clinical edge on the Continent this year and Xavi retiring from active playing and moving into the head coach role, Afif has stepped up in a big way.

Andre Carrillo
Winger, Al Hilal

While Bafetimbi Gomis, Sebastian Giovinco and Salem Al Dawsari have all been star names for Riyadh giants Al Hilal in their 2019 campaign so far, one of their most recent signings has had a dramatic impact on the team's fortunes, Peru winger Andre Carrillo.

Despite having only played in four matches on the Continent so far, Carrillo's statistics already outstrip his better-known teammates.

From his four matches, Carrillo averages three chances created per game, six duels won, 2.25 shots, and he boasts a 76% passing accuracy. The 28-year-old has already registered two assists and hit the net in the 'Saudi Clasico' against domestic rivals Al Ittihad in the quarter-finals.

The latter alone is enough to make him a hero in the eyes of the Al Hilal fans. Help fire the Asian heavyweights to a first AFC Champions League title and he'll go from hero to legend.

Shinzo Koroki
Forward, Urawa Red Diamonds

A case can be made that 2017 winners Urawa Red Diamonds would not be preparing for their fourth Continental semi-final were it not for the exploits of striker Shinzo Koroki.

The 33-year-old fan favourite had already almost single-handedly hauled Urawa into the quarter-finals after his brace helped the Saitama club come back from a 2-1 deficit against Ulsan Hyundai. And he was at it again in the last eight, scoring in both legs of the clash with Shanghai SIPG as Urawa edged past the Chinese champions on away goals.

With Koroki, there are two statistic to highlight. The first is his shooting accuracy which, at 58%, is the highest of any player remaining in the tournament. Seven goals so far is his highest haul on the Continent, with four of those coming from the four knockout stage ties so far.

The second is that he is exceptional in the air. Despite only standing 5'9", Koroki has scored the joint-most goals from headers in this year's tournament with three, alongside the considerably taller Anderson Talisca (6'3"), Marouane Fellaini (6'4") and Kim Shin-wook (6'5").

Anderson Talisca
Forward, Guangzhou Evergrande

Despite only appearing in six AFC Champions League matches this campaign due to injuries, Anderson Talisca has been a dominant force when on the field, scoring five times so far.

A threat in the air, his powerful header against Kashima Antlers in the quarter-final effectively proved to be the match-winner, Talisca is a prolific goalscorer with his exciting play catching the eye as much as his platinum-dyed hair.

Skillful on the ball, Talisca has a 74% dribble success rate and he forms an exciting attacking trio with fellow Brazil-born attacker Elkeson and China PR forward Wei Shihao.

And yet with few goals coming from other areas of the field, countryman Paulinho aside, Talisca as a source of goals is fundamental to Guangzhou's hopes of lifting a third AFC Champions League title.