Kuala Lumpur: With international and continental ties concluded, the focus returns to the domestic action in the East. There was plenty of action across the region, highlighted by a new champion crowned.
Although the leagues in Hong Kong, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have already concluded and are in their off-seasons, there were exciting matches from six other Member Associations.
Macau
On Friday, Chao Pak Kei (C.P.K.) lifted their first ever Macau championship after defeating Tak Chun Ka I 4-0, winning the Liga de Elite with two matches to spare.
The new Macau kings are an uncatchable seven points clear of Cheng Fung who sit in second, four points ahead of third-placed Monte Carlo.
C.P.K.'s crowning ended Benfica de Macau's run of five consecutive titles, with the heavyweights currently down in fourth in the standings.
Japan
The action in Japan over the weekend was highlighted by a match-up between the team currently topping the table, FC Tokyo, and neighbours Yokohama F. Marinos, who are in third.
A proverbial six-pointer, Yokohama took an early lead at Ajinomoto Stadium but four unanswered goals from the hosts put them in a dominant posiiton and, despite a late consolation for their visitors, they claimed a comprehensive 4-2 victory.
Second placed Kawasaki Frontale, meanwhile, secured a 3-1 away win over Jubilo Iwata to keep pace with the capital city side.
Oita Trinita are the surprise name in fourth with an impressive 2-0 victory against AFC Champions league quarter-finalists Urawa Red Diamonds.
⏰試合終了#FC東京 4-2 #横浜F・マリノス
4得点を奪い、逆転勝利️️️
ここホーム味スタでは俺たちはもう負けない️️️#首位東京 #fctokyo #tokyo pic.twitter.com/aV4nM71GQN— FC東京【公式】7/3桐蔭横浜大学 (@fctokyoofficial) June 29, 2019
Korea Republic
On Sunday, K.League leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' 1-1 draw with Pohang Steelers opened up the table for either FC Seoul or Ulsan Hyundai who faced one another in the capital.
However, neither side were able to take full advantage of Jeonbuk dropping points as a late Ulsan equaliser, deep in stoppage time, from Kim Bo-kyung saw the sides share a 2-2 draw at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Daegu, in fourth, also failed to make up ground after they shared a 1-1 draw away at relegation-threatened Jeju United, who themselves are only above Incheon United on goal difference.
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[경기종료] 울산현대 2 - 2 FC서울 . #울산현대 #MyteamUlsan #K리그
China PR
The big news from China was league leaders Beijing FC losing just their second match this season after a quick-fire brace from Roger Guedes condemned the capital city club to a 2-0 defeat at Shandong Luneng.
AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Shanghai SIPG's slim 1-0 win away at Shenzhen FC takes on even more significance. Oscar's goal just after half-time sees the defending champions narrow the gap with Beijing to two points.
Third-placed Guangzhou Evergrande, who also secured passage to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals last week, will aim to join Shanghai SIPG on 37 points with a win over their city rivals Shanghai Shenhua on Monday.
️ pic.twitter.com/JDug6ZPQkY
— Oscar (@oscar8) June 30, 2019
Mongolia
An exciting first versus second match-up took place on Saturday in Mongolia with Ulaanbaatar City and Athletic 220 only separated by a single goal at the top of the table going into the tie.
Appropriately enough, it was just the one goal that proved enough to decide the outcome too, with Ulaanbaatar City going three points clear in the standings after the 1-0 win.
To add further frustrations for Atheltic 220, Erchim's 10-0 win over Khoromkhon the following day now sees them forced down to third.
Chinese Taipei
Tatung extended their unbeaten streak to nine matches in the Chinese Taipei domestic championship, but the 2-2 draw with Hang Yuen FC did allow second placed Taipower to reduce their lead at the summit to three points following a 3-0 win over FC Taicheng.
At the other end of the table, bottom side Ming Chuan University finally ended a run of eight consecutive defeats with a 3-1 victory over TSU.
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Photo: C.P.K. Macau
Source: the-afc.com