The week in Asian football
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Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Fayah - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 1, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores their second goal from the penalty spot. REUTERS/Stringer
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Talking points from the week in Asian football:
RONALDO DOUBLE KEEPS AL-NASSR PERFECT IN SAUDI PRO LEAGUE
Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty in the 14th minute of stoppage time maintained Al-Nassr's perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season as Jorge Jesus' side secured a 2-1 win over Al-Fayha on Sunday to remain three points clear after seven games.
The visitors went ahead through Jason in the 13th minute before Ronaldo levelled with eight minutes left in the first half. The Portuguese forward then secured the points deep into added time at the end of the second half.
Al-Taawoun beat Al-Qadsiah 2-0 to stay second while Al-Hilal moved up to third following a 1-0 victory over Al-Shabab despite Kalidou Koulibaly's 78th minute red card.
HIROSHIMA CELEBRATE J.LEAGUE CUP WIN
Sanfrecce Hiroshima defeated Kashiwa Reysol 3-1 at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday to lift the J.League Cup for the second time in four seasons.
Hiroshima's Hayato Araki headed in the opener in the 25th minute when he latched onto Shuto Nakano's long throw into the six-yard box and Shunki Higashi doubled their lead 13 minutes later with a perfectly-struck from kick from more than 25 yards.
Another long throw by Nakano allowed Ryo Germain to add his side's third two minutes into first-half stoppage time, leaving Mao Hosoya to net a consolation for Kashiwa nine minutes from time.
SHANGHAI PORT DOWN ZHEJIANG TO MOVE CLOSER TO CHINESE TITLE
Shanghai Port will take a two-point lead into the final day of the Chinese Super League season after Kevin Muscat's side registered a 3-0 win over Zhejiang FC on Friday to move closer to a second successive title.
An own goal by Liu Haofan and strikes from Wang Shenchao and Mateus Vital secured a 19th win of the season for defending champions Port.
Cross-city rivals Shanghai Shenhua moved into second with a 1-0 win over Shenzhen Peng City as Chengdu Rongcheng dropped to third as a result of their 2-1 defeat by Henan FC.
AUCKLAND GO TOP OF A-LEAGUE AFTER WIN OVER ADELAIDE UNITED
Hosts Auckland FC moved top of the early A-League standings on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Adelaide United.
Louis Verstraete netted with 11 minutes remaining to take Steve Corica's side onto seven points from their opening three games, one point clear of Sydney FC.
Al Hassan Toure scored a hat-trick for Sydney in their 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets with Patrick Wood netting the fourth. REUTERS
