The week in Asian football

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

SHANGHAI PORT WIN CHINESE TITLE AFTER VOLATILE SHANDONG DRAW

Shanghai Port claimed the Chinese Super League title for the first time since 2018 on Sunday, drawing 1-1 with nearest rivals Shandong Taishan in a bad-tempered clash at Pudong Stadium that featured five red cards.

Lu Wenjun put Shanghai ahead from close range in the 16th minute but was then sent off four minutes before the interval for a second bookable offence.

His expulsion sparked angry scenes that resulted in Shandong's Moises and Cai Huikang also been sent off, while Port coach Javier Pereira also saw red.

Shandong substitute Fei Nanduo was the next to be dismissed 15 minutes from time and, although Xie Wenneng equalised a minute from time, Shanghai held on to clinch the title with one game remaining.

SECOND HALF SHOW SEES ULSAN COMPLETE K-LEAGUE TITLE DEFENCE

Ulsan Hyundai clinched the K-League title on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Daegu FC to ensure the defending champions retained the crown won last year.

Ulsan's win coupled with a 1-1 draw for second-placed Pohang Steelers meant Hong Myung-bo's side opened up a 10-point gap over their nearest rivals with three games remaining in the campaign.

Kim Min-hyeok gave Ulsan the lead with a 69th minute header and Jang Si-yong put the result beyond doubt in the final minute when he slotted his shot through goalkeeper Oh Seung-hoon's legs.

ANDERSON LOPES BRACES SEES YOKOHAMA MOVE CLOSER TO SUMMIT

Yokohama F Marinos closed to within two points of J.League leaders Vissel Kobe on Saturday after Kevin Muscat's defending champions handed Avispa Fukuoka a 4-0 defeat.

Anderson Lopes scored twice in the opening 25 minutes before further goals from Asahi Uenaka and Ryo Miyaichi confirmed the points for Marinos.

Kobe's lead was cut after Takayuki Yoshida's team were held to a 1-1 draw by Shonan Bellmare, with Yuya Osako equalising from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute for the league leaders to score his 21st goal of the campaign.

MITROVIC ON TARGET AS AL-HILAL REMAIN ON TOP IN SAUDI

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored again as Al-Hilal maintained their lead in the Saudi Pro League with a 3-1 win over Al-Ahli on Saturday.

The former Fulham striker doubled his side's advantage in the 37th minute to net his eighth of the season after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had given Al-Hilal a first minute lead.

Al-Hilal hold a four point advantage over Al-Nassr, who beat Al-Fayha 3-1 to climb above Al-Taawon into second place with Anderson Talisca scoring twice for Luis Castro's team.

URAWA UNDER PRESSURE AFTER ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEFEAT

Title holders Urawa Red Diamonds slipped to a 2-0 loss against Pohang Steelers in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday to put their hopes of a place in the last 16 in doubt.

Urawa are second in Group J, five points behind Pohang and level with China's Wuhan Three Towns, with only the winners guaranteed to advance to the knockout rounds.

Pohang, Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, Bangkok United and Japan's Kawasaki Frontale are the only teams with perfect records as the group phase reached the halfway point. REUTERS