By Michael Church
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Talking points from the week in Asian football:
MELBOURNE CITY COMPLETE A-LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP THREE-PEAT
Melbourne City secured a third successive A-League Premiership on Sunday after Western United’s 1-0 win over Adelaide United meant Rado Vadosic’s side could not be overtaken with two games remaining of the regular season.
City have secured a place in the semi-finals while Adelaide, Central Coast and Western Sydney Wanderers have secured top-six finishes and are assured of their places in the playoffs.
Six other clubs – including champions Western United – are battling for the two remaining berths.
WUHAN FALTER ON OPENING DAY OF CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE SEASON
Defending champions Wuhan Three Towns lost 2-0 to Shanghai Port in their opening game of the Chinese Super League season.
A crowd of 36,000 watched midfielder Paulinho score both goals in the second half against the home side, the Brazilian volleying in Wu Lei’s cross in the 64th minute before sealing the win from close range 11 minutes from time.
Shandong Taishan, last season’s runners-up, also lost their opener, falling 1-0 to Shanghai Shenhua.
DAEJON END ULSAN’S PERFECT START TO K-LEAGUE SEASON
Ulsan Hyundai’s unblemished start to the K-League season came to an end as they fell 2-1 to Daejon Citizen.
Lee Jin-hyun gave the home side a 10th minute lead before Gustav Ludwigson levelled nine minutes later. Daejon’s Lee Hyeon-sik then struck in first-half stoppage time to end Ulsan’s winning run at six games.
Ulsan, the defending champions, saw their lead trimmed to three points after second-placed Pohang Steelers drew 1-1 with FC Seoul.
OSAKO, MUTO DOUBLE UP AS KOBE TOP IN JAPAN
Vissel Kobe maintained their two-point lead in the J.League with a 5-1 thrashing of Kashima Antlers, with Yuya Osako and Yoshinori Muto both scoring twice.
Osako headed in the opener from a 24th minute corner and Muto nodded home in first-half injury time to send Kobe on their way to their biggest win over the eight-time champions.
Osako scored a penalty early in the second half before Daiju Sasaki hit the fourth and Muto completed the scoring five minutes from time.
Kobe lead the table from Nagoya Grampus, who beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-1, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 3-0 winners over Yokohama FC.
(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Peter Rutherford)
