The week in Asian football
By Michael Church
July 22 (Reuters) - Talking points from the week in Asian football:
POHANG TAKE OVER TOP SPOT IN KOREA WITH WIN OVER DAEJEON
Pohang Steelers climbed onto the top of the K-League on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen as Gimcheon Sangmu and Ulsan HD both slipped to defeat.
Two goals in the first four minutes of the second half from Hong Yun-sang and Lee Ho-jae cancelled out Kim Jun-bum's second minute opener to take Pohang into pole position.
The win came as Ulsan lost 2-0 to Jeonbuk Motors and Gimcheon slipped to a 1-0 defeat against FC Seoul.
GUSTAVO HAT-TRICK KEEPS SHANGHAI PORT CLEAR IN CHINA
Brazilian striker Gustavo scored a hat-trick to keep Shanghai Port clear at the top of the Chinese Super League standings as Kevin Muscat's side handed Qingdao Hainu a 5-0 on Sunday.
The win moved the defending champions five points clear of nearest rivals Shanghai Shenhua, who take on Cangzhou Mighty Lions on Monday.
Third placed Chendu Rongcheng slipped further off the pace after being held to a 1-1 draw by Wuhan Three Towns.
MACHIDA RETAIN FIVE POINT J.LEAGUE LEAD DESPITE DEFEAT
Machida Zelvia held on to their five point league in the J.League standings despite losing 2-1 to Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday.
Marinos' win was their first game since the firing of Harry Kewell as manager on Tuesday and came through goals from Anderson Lopes and Jun Amano.
Machida maintained their advantage as second placed Gamba Osaka lost 1-0 to Shonan Bellmare while Kashima Antlers closed in with a 2-1 win over FC Tokyo.
FIFA POSTPONES DECISION ON PALESTINIAN BID TO SUSPEND ISRAEL
FIFA has put off a decision on a Palestinian bid to suspend Israel from international soccer until after the Paris Olympics, saying both parties had requested more time to submit their positions.
STRIKER AUBAMEYANG JOINS SAUDI ARABIAN CLUB AL-QADSIAH
Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Al-Qadsiah, the promoted Saudi Pro League side said on Thursday. (Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Michael Perry)
