The week in Asian football

HONG KONG - Talking points from the week in Asian football:

KASHIMA INCREASE J-LEAGUE LEAD DESPITE GAMBA OSAKA DRAW

Kashima Antlers extended their lead in the J-League to five points on Sunday despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Gamba Osaka, as Vissel Kobe lost 1-0 against Urawa Red Diamonds.

Kobe's defeat, which came after Taisei Miyashiro missed a penalty and Isaac Kiese hit a 47th-minute winner for Urawa, sees the defending champions drop to fourth with Kyoto Sanga moving into second and Kashiwa Reysol in third.

Kyoto climbed above Kobe after a 1-1 draw with Kawasaki Frontale while Kashiwa notched up a 1-0 win over Yokohama F Marinos.

GIMCHEON DOWN CHAMPIONS ULSAN TO CUT JEONBUK LEAD

Gimcheon Sangmu beat defending champions Ulsan HD 3-0 on Sunday to narrow the gap with Jeonbuk Motors as the K-League leaders were held to a 1-1 draw by Jeju SK.

Lee Dong-jun gave the army side the lead against Shin Tae-yong's Ulsan in the 29th minute and further goals from Kim Seung-sub and Lee Dong-gyeong earned Gimcheon all three points.

Jeonbuk's lead over Gimcheon is now 13 points after Gus Poyet's side shared the points on Friday in Jeju with Nam Tae-hee scoring a 97th-minute equaliser for the hosts after Tiago Orobo's 28th-minute opener.

YUE STRIKES LIFT MEIZHOU OUT OF CHINESE RELEGATION ZONE

Meizhou Hakka moved out of the relegation zone in the Chinese Super League with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Qingdao Hainiu on Saturday.

Hong Kong international Yue Tze-nam scored the game's only goal a minute before the interval to lift his side two points clear of Qingdao and into 14th place in the 16-team standings. The bottom two clubs will be relegated at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Qingdao West Coast notched up a 2-0 win over Dalian Yingbo and Shandong Taishan were held to a 1-1 draw by Yunnan Yukun. REUTERS