Japan: Verdy edge thriller on penalties as Sanfrecce strike late in Round 3
Tokyo Verdy tightened their grip on top spot in Group A after a dramatic contest against FC Machida Zelvia that finished 2–2 in regular time before Verdy triumphed 3–2 in the penalty shootout.

Yuki Soma fired Machida ahead in the 69th minute and Yuta Nakayama doubled the lead to leave Verdy staring at defeat. Hiroto Yamami pulled one back in the 89th minute to spark hope, and Taiju Yoshida equalised deep into stoppage time to force penalties. Verdy converted three of their spot-kicks to seal the shootout 3–2 and claim the extra point, moving to eight from three matches.

In Group B, Sanfrecce Hiroshima continued to set the pace with a dramatic 2–1 away victory over Cerezo Osaka. Ryo Germain broke the deadlock in the 55th minute to give Sanfrecce control, but Solomon Sakuragawa equalised in stoppage time to seemingly rescue a point for the hosts.

However, Shunki Higashi struck in the 90+7th minute to snatch all three points in remarkable fashion, keeping Sanfrecce top of the standings.

Elsewhere in Round 3, FC Tokyo edged Kawasaki Frontale 2–1, Urawa Reds defeated Yokohama F. Marinos 2–0, Kashima Antlers beat Kashiwa Reysol 2–0 and Gamba Osaka overcame Okayama 2–1. Kyoto saw off Avispa Fukuoka 2–0, V-Varen Nagasaki stunned Nagoya Grampus 3–1, while Shimizu S-Pulse secured a narrow 1–0 win over Vissel Kobe as both tables begin to take shape.

Hong Kong: Southern fight back to sink Hong Kong FC
Southern FC boosted their survival hopes with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Hong Kong FC in Round 15. Leo Montesinos fired the visitors ahead in the 21st minute to give Hong Kong FC a first-half advantage, but Southern gradually grew into the contest after the break.

Yun Tung Chan levelled in the 66th minute to swing the momentum, setting up a tense finale as both sides pushed for a decisive goal. The breakthrough came five minutes from time when Stefan Pereira struck in the 85th minute to complete the turnaround.

The result lifted Southern to 14 points and kept them within touching distance of mid-table, while Hong Kong FC remain bottom with just four points from 15 matches as the pressure continues to mount.

Australia: Jets edge clear as Bayliss fires Newcastle past Macarthur
Newcastle Jets strengthened their hold at the top of the A-League with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Macarthur FC in Round 18.

After a tight and physical first half that ended goalless, the breakthrough arrived nine minutes after the restart when Lachlan Bayliss struck in the 54th minute.

The narrow victory moved the Jets to 36 points from 18 matches, keeping them four clear of Auckland FC.

Auckland FC delivered a statement 5–0 win over Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory defeated Melbourne City 3–1 in the derby, Central Coast Mariners edged Western Sydney Wanderers 3–2, Sydney FC beat Brisbane Roar 1–0 and Adelaide United cruised past Perth Glory 4–0.

Thailand: Buriram run riot to tighten grip on summit
Buriram United delivered a dominant performance in Round 22, thrashing Sukhothai 6–0 to further cement their position at the top of Thai League 1.

The leaders struck through Edu Mancha in the fifth minute before Pansa Hemviboon doubled the advantage in the 34th.

The second half brought no respite for the visitors. Guilherme Bissoli extended the lead in the 48th minute and later added two more goals, completing his hat-trick with strikes in the 86th and 90+1 minutes.

Robert Zulj rounded off the scoring deep into stoppage time after also playing a key role in the build-up throughout the match. The emphatic victory moved Buriram to 53 points, 14 clear of Port FC.

Bangkok United defeated Muang Thong United 2–0, Pathum United beat Ayutthaya United 2–0 despite the hosts seeing red, Port MTI FC secured a 2–0 win over Nakhon Ratchasima FC, Uthai Thani edged Kanchanaburi 2–1, Chonburi claimed a 3–1 victory over Chiangrai United and Prachuap saw off Rayong FC 2–0.

Indonesia: Persib edge Persita to stay clear at the summit
Persib Bandung maintained their advantage at the top of the Super League with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Persita in Round 22.

After a tense and goalless first half, the breakthrough arrived in the 50th minute when Andrew Jung found the net, finishing clinically after being picked out inside the area.

Persita attempted to respond with attacking substitutions, but Persib’s defensive structure held firm throughout the closing stages. The visitors’ hopes of a late equaliser faded further when they were reduced to 10 men deep into stoppage time, allowing Persib to close out a disciplined win that moves them to 50 points, three clear of Persija Jakarta.

Persija Jakarta edged PSM Makassar 2–1 to keep pace, Dewa United defeated Borneo 2–1, Persijap Jepara beat Persebaya 3–1, Madura United and Arema FC drew 2–2, Persis Solo shared a 1–1 stalemate with PSBS Biak Numfor, Malut United drew 2–2 with Semen Padang and FC Bhayangkara claimed a 4–3 win over Persik Kediri.

Malaysia: JDT stay perfect
Johor Darul Ta’zim produced a dominant 6–1 away victory over Sabah to extend their lead at the top.

Bergson opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute before Ajdin Mujagic struck twice (21st, 40th). Oscar Arribas added a brace (24th, 48th) and Manuel Hidalgo also found the net in the 46th minute.

Chris Marlon Ondong-Mba scored a consolation for Sabah in the 88th, while JDT's Antonio Cristian was sent off in the 90th after receiving a second yellow card. JDT moved to 51 points, while Sabah sit 11th with 14.

Selangor edged Kuching 1–0 at home thanks to Chrigor Moraes’ late strike in the 86th minute. Selangor remain second with 35 points,16 ahead of Selangor.

Kuala Lumpur recorded an emphatic 4–0 home win over Brunei DPMM. Safawi Rasid netted twice (9th, 18th) before Paulo Josue (61st) and Victor Ruiz (70th) completed the scoring. Kuala Lumpur sit third with 33 points; Brunei are eighth with 18.

In other matches, Terengganu defeated Melaka FC 2–1 away, Imigresen beat Negeri Sembilan 2–1 and PDRM edged Kelantan United 1–0.

Singapore: Sailors drop first points
Lion City Sailors were held to a 1–1 draw by Tampines Rovers, dropping points for the first time this season.

Lennart Thy gave Sailors the lead in the 21st minute before Koya Kazama equalised just before the break. Lion City are first with 31 points, while Tampines stayed second with 24.

Albirex Niigata (S) secured a 2–0 win over Young Lions to move into third with 22 points. Young Lions remain eighth with one.

Balestier Khalsa defeated Geylang International 5–2 while Hougang face Tanjong Pagar on Monday.

Cambodia: Svay Rieng extend advantage
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC tightened their hold on first place with a commanding 5–0 win over Kirivong Sok Sen Chey.

Kwame Peprah scored twice (14th, 76th), Cristian Silveira netted in the 18th, and Patrick added two more (72nd, 79th). Svay Rieng moved to 51 points; Kirivong remained ninth with 14.

Phnom Penh Crown FC secured a 2–1 win over Visakha. Vennin Chhin (14th) and Maksym Pryadun (45+2) scored for Crown before Scott Allardice converted a late penalty (90th). Phnom Penh sit second with 46 points; Visakha are seventh with 29.

Elsewhere, Cambodian Tiger thrashed National Defense 7–1, MOI Kompong Dewa defeated Isi Dangkor Senchey FC 2–0 and Nagaworld beat Life 2–0.

Laos: Ezra and Young Elephant keep pace
Ezra strengthened their position at the summit with a 3–0 away victory over Lao Army FC.

Peeter Phanthavong (73rd) and Koki Narita (78th, 90+1) scored the goals as Ezra moved to 37 points. Lao Army sit fourth with 24.

Young Elephant responded with a 3–0 win over Champasak Avenir. Phommasane Phoutdavy (21st), Anousone Xaypanya (36th) and Tsukasa Shimomura (88th) were on target. Young Elephant remain second with 35 points; Champasak sit in fifth with 22.

In other matches, third-placed GB FC drew 1–1 with Master 7, Luang Prabang United defeated Namtha United 4–0 and Salavan United beat Savannakhet 4–0.

Myanmar: Leaders draw in summit clash
Yangon United and Shan United played out a goalless draw in a top-of-the-table encounter.

Yangon remain first with 48 points, while Shan stay second with 43.

Dagon defeated Yadanarbon 2–1, with Htwe Yan Kyaw converting a penalty in the 56th minute and Aung Thiha striking in stoppage time (90+1). Phyo Khant Nyein scored late (90+5) for Yadanarbon. Dagon moved to third with 32 points; Yadanarbon are eighth with 20.

Elsewhere, Thitsar Arman drew 2–2 with Dagon Port, and Ayeyawady United edged Rakhine United 2–1.