By Michael Church
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Talking points from the week in Asian football:
OSAKO STRIKES DEEP IN INJURY TIME TO KEEP KOBE ON TRACK
Vissel Kobe’s Yuya Osako scored six minutes into added time to snatch a 2-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds on Sunday and keep Takayuki Yoshida’s side on track for a first J. League title.
Osako fired into an empty net after Urawa goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa went forward for a late corner in an attempt to claim the winner, only for the move to backfire as the former Japan international struck at the other end.
That late strike means Kobe lead defending champions Yokohama F Marinos by two points with two games remaining after Kevin Muscat’s side earlier sealed a 2-0 win over Cerezo Osaka.
WANDERERS MOVE INTO A-LEAGUE TOP SPOT WITH PERTH WIN
Western Sydney Wanderers moved top of the A-League standings after second half goals from Jack Clisby and Tate Russell earned Marko Rudan’s side a 2-0 win over Perth Glory on Saturday.
The victory takes Wanderers to eight points after four games, ahead of Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix on goal difference after the pair shared a 1-1 draw on Friday.
Macarthur FC are also on eight points after being held to a 3-3 draw after Melbourne City’s Jamie Maclaren and Terry Antonis scored in added time to earn Aurelio Vidmar’s side a point.
MITROVIC STRIKES LATE AS AL-HILAL STAY UNBEATEN IN SAUDI
Al-Hilal’s relentless run of form continued as Jorge Jesus’ side handed Al Taawoun a 2-0 defeat on Thursday to remain four points clear of second-placed Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League after 13 matches.
Aleksandar Mitrovic gave the Riyadh-based club the lead in the 81st minute before Mohammed Kanno netted nine minutes into injury time to make the points safe and ensure Al-Hilal maintained their unbeaten start to the league campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored Al-Nassr’s third goal as they defeated Al Wehdat 3-1, while Karim Benzema hit a hat-trick for fifth-placed Al-Ittihad in their 4-2 win over Abha, the club’s first game since coach Nuno Espirito Santo was fired on Tuesday.
AL-AIN, POHANG REACH ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16
Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates and South Korea’s Pohang Steelers became the first teams to book places in the Asian Champions League last 16 as defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds continue to struggle.
Pohang fought back to hand Urawa a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday to secure top spot in Group J with their fourth win in a row and put the Japanese side’s hopes of qualifying for the next round in jeopardy with two rounds of group games remaining.
Al-Ain also notched up a fourth win with a 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al-Fayha sealing their spot in the round of 16, although they will go into the next phase without coach Alfred Schreuder, who quit on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Michael Church; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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