Soccer-The week in Asian football

"I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of the great coaches who have led the Korean national team, from Gus Hiddink to my predecessor, Paulo Bento," said Klinsmann. "I look forward to doing my utmost to help the team achieve success at the upcoming Asian Cup and the 2026 World Cup." STRIKER ELKESON INCLUDED IN JANKOVIC'S FIRST CHINA SQUAD Brazil-born striker Elkeson has been included in the first squad picked by new China coach Aleksandar Jankovic for this month's training camp and two friendlies against New Zealand.

Talking points from the week in Asian football:

RONALDO DRAWS BLANK BUT AL NASSR MARCH ON Cristiano Ronaldo failed to find the target but Al Nassr scored three added-time goals to beat Al Batin 3-1 and maintain their place atop of the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

Renzo Lopez looked to have earned Al Batin victory with his 17th minute header but Abdulrahman Ghareeb levelled the scores from close range three minutes into injury time. Mohammed Al Fatil put Al Nassr ahead nine minutes later and Mohammed Maran got the third on the break 14 minutes into added time to keep Al Nassr four points clear of Nuno Espirito Santo's second-placed Al Ittihad.

KOBE STAY PERFECT TO OPEN TWO-POINT LEAD AT J.LEAGUE SUMMIT Vissel Kobe eased to a 4-0 win over Gamba Osaka on Saturday and are now the only side to pick up victories in all three of their opening games in the J.League season as Takayuki Yoshida's side opened up a two-point gap on their nearest rivals.

Former Japan international Gotoku Sakai scored twice after Yuya Osako had given Kobe the lead in the third minute with Yoshinori Muto also on target for Kobe. Kobe lead defending champions Yokohama F Marinos by two points after Kevin Muscat's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Sanfrecce Hiroshima, while Nagoya Grampus, the only other team to win their first two games, lost 1-0 to Sagan Tosu.

UM HITS WINNER AS ULSAN START WITH BACK-TO-BACK VICTORIES Defending K-League champions Ulsan Hyundai followed up their opening day win in the new season with a 1-0 victory over Gangwon FC on Sunday.

Um Wong-son scored the only goal five minutes into the second half for Hong Myung-bo's side, who are one of three teams to win their first two games of the campaign. Ulsan are joined on six points by Pohang Steelers, who defeated Suwon FC 2-1 on Saturday, and FC Seoul, 2-0 winners over Gwangju FC on Sunday.

KLINSMANN TAKES OVER FROM BENTO AS SOUTH KOREA COACH Former Germany and United States manager Juergen Klinsmann has been named as South Korea coach.

Klinsmann takes over as the long-term replacement for Portugal's Paulo Bento, who took the Koreans to the knockout rounds at the World Cup last year. "I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of the great coaches who have led the Korean national team, from Gus Hiddink to my predecessor, Paulo Bento," said Klinsmann.

"I look forward to doing my utmost to help the team achieve success at the upcoming Asian Cup and the 2026 World Cup." STRIKER ELKESON INCLUDED IN JANKOVIC'S FIRST CHINA SQUAD

Brazil-born striker Elkeson has been included in the first squad picked by new China coach Aleksandar Jankovic for this month's training camp and two friendlies against New Zealand. Elkeson, known as Ai Kesen in China, has not played for his adopted nation since featuring in the country's World Cup qualifier against Australia in November 2021.

The 33-year-old, who spent last season with Brazilian side Gremio after leaving Guangzhou FC, is one of two naturalised players in the 24-man squad along with England-born defender Tyias Browning.