The week in Asian football
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Soccer Football - Champions League - Chelsea vs Qarabag FK - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - September 12, 2017 Chelsea's Ngolo Kante in action with Qarabag’s Gara Garayev. Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien/File Photo
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HONG KONG - Talking points from the week in Asian football:
KANTE STRIKES TO EARN POINT FOR AL-ITTIHAD AS AL-HILAL CLOSE
Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad saw their advantage at the summit reduced to four points as Laurent Blanc's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Qadsiah and defending champions Al-Hilal picked up a 2-0 win over Al-Fayha.
Ngolo Kante rescued a point for the leaders when he struck in the 96th minute to cancel out Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang's opener from five minutes earlier for the third-placed outfit.
Goals from Mohamed Kanno and Aleksandar Mitrovic, playing for the first time in almost two months after returning from injury, sealed victory for Al-Hilal.
A-LEAGUE LEADERS AUCKLAND SEE ADVANTAGE CUT TO SIX POINTS
Auckland FC saw their A-League lead reduced to six points as Steve Corica's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle Jets on Sunday after seeing Louis Verstraete sent off 15 minutes from time for a dangerous tackle.
Eli Adams gave Newcastle the lead with a searing strike past Alex Paulsen in the 12th minute only for Jesse Randall to level eight minutes before the interval when he headed in Hiroki Sakai's cross from the right.
Auckland hold a six point advantage over Western United, who handed Wellington Phoenix a 4-1 thrashing on Saturday, while Melbourne City sit in third having picked up a 2-0 win over Macarthur FC on Friday.
KASHIMA DOWN KASHIWA TO MOVE INTO POLE POSITION IN J-LEAGUE
Kashima Antlers defeated previously unbeaten Kashiwa Reysol 3-1 on Saturday to move into first place in the J-League standings, one point clear of Shonan Bellmare.
Leo Ceara scored a hat-trick to earn Kashima a fourth win in five matches while Shonan were held to a 0-0 draw by FC Tokyo.
Third-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima plus defending champions Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale did not play due to commitments in continental competitions.
DAEJEON RETAIN TOP SPOT ON GOAL DIFFERENCE AFTER DAEGU WIN
Goals from Joo Min-kyu and Choi Geon-joo earned Daejeon Citizen a 2-1 win over Daegu FC that keeps Hwang Sun-hong's side on top of the K-League.
Daejeon lead defending champions Ulsan HD on goal-difference after Kim Pan-gon's team notched up a 2-0 win over Jeju FC thanks to a brace from Heo Yool.
Gimcheon Sangmu are in third place and are one of three teams on seven points following their 3-1 win over Anyang FC. REUTERS
