The week in Asian football

Talking points from the week in Asian football:

ELIAS HAT-TRICK KEEPS KYOTO ON TOP IN JAPAN

Kyoto Sanga maintained their hold on top spot in the J.League on Sunday as a Rafael Elias hat-trick helped them to a 4-0 win over FC Tokyo.

Elias scored twice in the opening 13 minutes at Tokyo Stadium before Yoshinori Suzuki added the third on the stroke of halftime. Brazilian Elias then completed his hat-trick nine minutes from time.

Kyoto are top on goal difference ahead of Kashima Antlers, who beat Albirex Niigata 2-1, and a point clear of Machida Zelvia, Kashiwa Reysol and defending champions Vissel Kobe.

STOPPAGE-TIME GOALS PUT SHENHUA BACK ON TOP IN CSL

Shanghai Shenhua climbed back into first place in the Chinese Super League with a 2-0 win over Qingdao Hainu as defending champions Shanghai Port were held 1-1 by Tianjin Tiger.

Port had gone into the weekend top of the table but Alberto Quiles' 43rd minute equaliser earned Tianjin a draw after Gabrielzinho had put Kevin Muscat's side in front in the 13th minute.

Shenhua moved a point clear of Port thanks to late goals from Yu Hanchao and Liu Chengyu, who scored in the 94th and 98th minutes.

TEIXEIRA SCORES TWICE AS POHANG HAND JEONBUK RARE DEFEAT

Leaders Jeonbuk Motors suffered their first league defeat in South Korea since March on Sunday as Gus Poyet's side lost 3-1 to Pohang Steelers.

Pohang's Jorge Teixeira saw his first-minute opener cancelled out by Tiago Orobo's penalty, but a 24th minute goal from Park Seung-wook and a penalty in the final minute of the half from Teixeira earned Pohang the points.

Jeonbuk lead the standings by 14 points from Gimcheon Sangmu, who beat Suwon FC 3-2, with Pohang in third a further two points behind.

AL-AHLI CLAIM SUPER CUP WITH SHOOT-OUT WIN OVER AL-NASSR

Al-Ahli won the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong on Saturday with a 5-3 shoot-out win over Al-Nassr after the match ended 2-2.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Al-Nassr the lead with a 41st minute penalty but Franck Kessie levelled six minutes into first-half stoppage time when he bent a shot into the bottom corner.

Marcelo Brozovic fired Al-Nassr back in front with eight minutes remaining but Roger Ibanez's 88th minute header took the game to a shoot-out, where Galeno hit the winning spot-kick.

NORTHEAST RETAIN DURAND CUP BY THRASHING DIAMOND HARBOUR

NorthEast United won India's Durand Cup with a 6-1 thrashing of Diamond Harbour in the final in Kolkata on Sunday. It was the second year in a row NorthEast won the tournament, which is Asia's oldest club competition. REUTERS