Top 5 goal-scorers in AFC Cup history

The list has a player who scored his final AFC Cup goal against an Indian club.

The AFC Cup, considered as the second-tier club football competition in Asia, was mainly played among clubs that didn’t receive direct qualifying slots to the AFC Champions League (top-tier), based on AFC Club rankings. As the sun sets on this storied competition, at the end of 2023-24 season, making way for the dawn of AFC Champions League 2 and AFC Challenge League, we reminisce about the goal-scorers who turned the pitch into their canvas.

Let’s uncover the names who etched their names as the top five goal-scorers in the tournament’s history.

5. Bader Al-Mutawa (30 goals)

Bader Al-Mutawa, the Kuwaiti football legend, is celebrated as the fifth-highest scorer in AFC Cup history with 30 goals. He played a pivotal role in Qadsia SC’s journey to the AFC Cup final three times from 2010 to 2015, and their victorious 2014 campaign. Despite a FIFA ban halting his progress, Al-Mutawa’s return to the AFC Cup in 2019 saw him achieve the 30-goal milestone, underscoring his enduring goal-scoring prowess in the tournament.

4. Aleksandar Duric (32 goals)

Aleksandar Duric, a stalwart in the competition, scored for three different clubs. His AFC Cup journey started with Geylang United in 2004, leading to a semi-final. With the Singapore Armed Forces, he reached the quarter-finals in 2007 and 2008. His goals helped Tampines Rovers reach the round of 16 in the 2011 edition. Duric’s 32nd and final AFC Cup goal came in a 5-2 victory over India’s Pune FC on April 1, 2014 at the age of 43, securing his place as the fourth-highest scorer in the competition’s history.

3. Amjad Radhi (32 goals)

Amjad Radhi, the prolific striker from Iraq, has etched his name in the tournament’s history with 32 goals. His golden period at Air Force Club saw him clinch three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018. Radhi’s peak performance unfolded in 2012 with Arbil, where his nine goals made him the top scorer. Radhi’s legacy is marked by five AFC Cup final appearances, making him one of the tournament’s most decorated players.

2. Mahmoud Shelbaieh (34 goals)

Mahmoud Shelbaieh, the Jordanian striker, is renowned as the AFC Cup’s second top scorer, boasting 34 goals. His remarkable tenure at Al Wehdat from 2006 to 2012 is highlighted by his unique record of scoring in seven consecutive campaigns, a testament to his consistent performances. Shelbaieh’s crowning achievement came in the 2006 AFC Cup when he became the competition’s top scorer. His legacy at Al Wehdat remains unparalleled in AFC Cup history, a feat no other player has matched.

1. Bienvenido Maranon (35 goals)

With a record-breaking 35 goals, Bienvenido Maranon stands as the AFC Cup’s all-time leading goal-scorer. The Philippines national team’s formidable striker dominated the competition, securing the top scorer title in both the 2019 and 2020 editions. His remarkable 10-goal streak with United City FC in the 2019 AFC Cup marked his first claim to this prestigious accolade.

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