The week in Asian football
By Michael Church
HONG KONG, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Talking points from the week in Asian football:
JUNG WINS GOALKEEPER BATTLE AS KAWASAKI LIFT EMPEROR'S CUP
Kawasaki Frontale won the Emperor's Cup on Saturday by defeating Kashiwa Reysol 8-7 in a penalty shootout after the final at Tokyo's National Stadium ended 0-0.
Kashiwa goalkeeper Kenta Matsumoto saw his spot-kick in the 10th round of penalties saved by opposite number Jung Sung-ryong, who had converted earlier.
"It epitomized our season as we fought patiently, kept a clean sheet and did not give up at moments when we easily could have," Kawasaki manager Toru Oniki said.
Kawasaki won the trophy for the second time since 2020.
MACARTHUR MOVE INTO TOP SPOT AFTER WIN OVER SYDNEY FC
Macarthur FC went top in the A-League with a 2-0 victory over Sydney FC on Saturday as Mile Sterjovic's side maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Goals from Jake Hollman and Valere Germain sealed a win that leaves Macarthur a point clear of Brisbane Roar, who won 2-0 against Adelaide United.
Western Sydney Wanderers missed the chance to climb above Macarthur on Sunday after losing 4-3 to Melbourne Victory, with Bruno Fornaroli scoring all four goals for the visitors.
RONALDO MARKS LANDMARK APPEARANCE WITH GOAL IN AL-NASSR WIN
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 1,200th professional match with his 16th goal of the season as the Portuguese striker helped his Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr to a 4-1 win over Al-Riyadh on Friday.
The 38-year-old opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark when he tapped in a cross from Sadio Mane before Otavio hit the second and Anderson Talisca claimed a late brace.
Al-Nassr are second with 37 points, seven adrift of Al-Hilal, who beat Al-Ta'i 2-1 over on Thursday.
TITLE HOLDERS URAWA DUMPED OUT OF ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds crashed out of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday after a 2-1 loss to Hanoi FC meant the three-times winners were unable to qualify for the round of 16.
Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, South Korea's Pohang Steelers and Bangkok United from Thailand have secured spots in the knockout rounds from the East region, while Saudi sides Al-Fayha, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are among those from West to have advanced.
LOPEZ TAKES OVER AS QATAR COACH AFTER QUEIROZ DEPARTURE
Carlos Queiroz left his role as head coach of Qatar little more than a month until the nation hosts the Asian Cup, with Marquez Lopez named as his replacement.
The former Real Madrid and Portugal head coach took over as the long-term replacement for Felix Sanchez in February after the Qataris hosted last year's World Cup finals.
"The Qatar Football Association has announced that Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz's tenure as head coach of the Qatar national team has ended amicably by mutual agreement between the two parties," the QFA said in a statement. (Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Peter Rutherford)
