J. League

China's Beijing Guoan saw off a late revival to beat J-League title-holders Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 and break an eight-match win drought in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

Coachloads of police were deployed Tuesday for a Japanese football club's match in Nanjing, scene of the worst atrocities of Japan's 1930s invasion of China, which still weighs heavily on ties.

Despite the echoes of a huge corruption scandal and Didier Drogba's short-lived stay, a sense of cautious optimism pervades long-suffering Chinese football as the new season starts this week.

Forward Genki Haraguchi scored one goal and assisted another to give Urawa Red Diamonds a 2-1 win over defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the opener of the J-League football on Saturday.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima face a tough start to their J-League title defence on Saturday -- and they will be aware that in one of Asia's toughest leagues, a winning pedigree is no guarantee of success.

Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor provided the biggest upset of this year's fledgling AFC Champions League when they shocked J-League title-holders Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-0 away on Wednesday.

Australia's Central Coast Mariners were left to rue a late penalty miss as they were held 0-0 by Suwon Bluewings of South Korea in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

Japan international striker Hisato Sato fired home the sole goal to give Sanfrecce Hiroshima a 1-0 win over Kashiwa Reysol to claim their second Super Cup victory on Saturday.

Japan international striker Tadanari Lee will return to FC Tokyo on loan from Southampton for the rest of the season.

Manchester United announced on Thursday that they will play Japanese side Cerezo Osaka as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2013-14 campaign.

Manchester United announced on Tuesday they will visit Japan as part of their pre-season tour of Asia, giving a chance for Japanese attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa to dazzle his home fans.

Japanese midfielder Daigo Kobayashi, a J-League veteran with stints in Greece and Norway as well, has signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer, the Canadian club announced.

Midfielder Mu Kanazaki looks set to become the next Japan player to ply his trade in the Bundesliga with the 23-year-old on the verge of signing for Nuremberg, according to reports.

Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue has his sights set on a move to the English Premier League, with either Tottenham or Queens Park Rangers, a source close to the player said Monday.

North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se finalised his move to South Korea's K-league on Thursday, vowing to score at least 15 goals for his new team the Suwon Samsung Bluewings before the end of the season.

North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se finalised his move to South Korea's K-league, vowing to score at least 15 goals for his new team the Suwon Samsung Bluewings before the end of the season.

North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se said he saw himself as an "ambassador" for inter-Korean sporting exchanges as he underwent a medical Tuesday for his formal transfer to one of South Korea's top clubs.

North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se said he saw himself as an "ambassador" for inter-Korean sporting exchanges as he underwent a medical Tuesday for his formal transfer to one of South Korea's top clubs.

Burly striker Jong Tae-Se will become only the fourth North Korean to play in South Korea's top league when he signs for Suwon Samsung Bluewings next week.

Brazilian giants Corinthians overcame Egypt's Al Ahly 1-0 in the last four of the Club World Cup in Japan on Wednesday to set up a likely final against European champions Chelsea.