Esteghlal’s Yasser Asani Goal Nominated for Asia’s Goal of Week
TEHRAN - The Esteghlal’s
Albanian winger goal against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa has been nominated for the “Goal of the Week” award in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has opened voting for the best goal of the second matchday of the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite season.
The second round of the competition featured numerous spectacular goals—ranging from dazzling individual efforts to decisive strikes by substitutes who came off the bench to change the outcome of their matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia vs. Neftchi)
In the 42nd minute, following a beautiful team move, Yahya controlled a cross from Sadio Mané with his chest; Cristiano Ronaldo then executed a quick turn and fired a powerful shot into the back of the net. This goal brought the Portuguese football legend’s career tally to 981—a number that continues to climb.
Ollie Watkins (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia vs. Al-Sadd, Qatar)
l-Sadd’s Soria did everything in his power to stop Ollie Watkins, but he could not prevent the former Aston Villa striker from scoring. Al-Hilal’s new signing finished off a fluid team move and a series of precise passes by putting the ball into the net, giving the Saudi side the lead.
Hossein Rahimi (Al-Ain, UAE vs. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Iraq)
Hossein Rahimi proved unstoppable in this match, scoring two goals and playing a pivotal role in Al-Ain’s 4-0 lead by the end of the first half. Four minutes into a beautiful attacking move by Al-Ain, Palacios set up the ball for Rahimi, who converted it into a goal with a precise and composed finish.
Jasir Asani; Esteghlal (Iran) vs. Al-Gharafa (Qatar)
Esteghlal’s first shot on target resulted in a goal, as Jasir Asani broke the deadlock against Al-Gharafa with a spectacular strike. Advancing from the right flank, the Esteghlal player unleashed a superb shot from about 18 meters out. The ball dipped past the outstretched hands of Ahmed Kone and found the top-left corner of the net, putting the Iranian side on the scoresheet.
Trincão; Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) vs. Al-Wasl (UAE)
Trincão once again put his team ahead, scoring Al-Ahli’s go-ahead goal in spectacular fashion. He curled a shot from the right side that bypassed the defenders and—despite a dive from Al-Wasl goalkeeper Horkas—nestled into the bottom-left corner of the goal.
Sardar Azmoun; Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE) vs. Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
Sardar Azmoun showcased his goal-scoring prowess against the formidable Saudi side by netting two goals in the first half. A through ball from Reza Ghandipour created the opening for Shabab Al-Ahli’s second goal, which Azmoun converted with a highly precise and calculated finish.
Abreu; Beijing (China) vs. Buriram United (Thailand)
The Portuguese forward entered the match after the hour mark and quickly found himself at the center of the action. Guilherme Ramos delivered a long throw-in into the danger zone, where Lin Liangming managed to keep the ball in play. Fabio Abreu, positioned perfectly, then headed the ball past Otridge and into the net.
Toma Matsuda; Kyoto Sanga (Japan) vs. Ratchaburi (Thailand)
With very little time remaining in the match, the Japanese player scored the winning goal for his team. Haruki Arai sent a precise cross from the left flank, and Matsuda—striking the ball while airborne—sent it past Kampon to find the back of the net.
Diogo Oliveira; Daejeon Hana Citizen (South Korea) vs. Shanghai Port (China)
Showing great determination, Diogo Oliveira stooped low to meet a cross from the right by Jung Jae-hee, heading the ball home to secure a 1–1 draw for Daejeon Hana Citizen against the Chinese Super League champions.
Yosei Toshida; Gamba Osaka (Japan) vs. Newcastle Jets (Australia)
Five minutes before the end of the first half, Yosei Toshida scored an equalizer with a precise header, dampening the spirits of the Newcastle Jets fans. Following a skillful play, Eli Adams delivered a cross from the right, which Toshida headed into the goal near the post, bringing the Japanese side back into the contest.
Marcos Guilherme; Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia) vs. Pohang Steelers (South Korea)
Marcos Guilherme proved a constant threat inside the opponent’s six-yard box. In the final minutes of the match, he got past the defenders and—with the goalkeeper already on the ground—slotted the ball into the empty net.
Yuya Kuwasaki; Vissel Kobe (Japan) vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea)
A fluid and precise combination play created a prime scoring opportunity for Vissel Kobe. Finishing off the attack, Yuya Kuwasaki struck the ball first-time into the goal, extending the Japanese side’s lead to two goals.