Japan: Vissel settle for Urawa stalemate
Defending champions Vissel Kobe had to settle for a goalless draw with Urawa Red Diamonds as the 2025 J1 League kicked off on Saturday.

It was not the start Vissel - seeking a third consecutive title - would have wanted to a season that promises to be challenging.

Kawasaki Frontale took pole position after Matchday One, thanks to a 4-0 win over Nagoya Grampus on Saturday.

Frontale turned on the power in the second half with goals from Kota Takai (58th), Shin Yamada (67th), Hinata Yamauchi (79th) and Ten Miyagi (87th).

Yokohama F. Marinos, who together with Vissel and Frontale, are through to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage, also had to settle for a draw after being held 1-1 by Niigata.

Anderson Lopes scored from the penalty spot in the 76th minute after Niigata had taken the lead through Shusuke Ota in the first half.

Cerezo Osaka were also big winners on the opening matchday, defeating Gamba Osaka 5-2.

In other matches, Okayama beat Kyoto Sanga 2-0 while Kashiwa Reysol, FC Tokyo, Shonan Bellmare were all 1-0 winners.

Reysol beat Avispa Fukuoka, Tokyo edged Yokohama FC while Shonan triumphed against Kashima Antlers.

Tolgay Arsian netted twice as Sanfrecce Hiroshima came from behind to defeat Machida Zelvia on Sunday while Tokyo Verdy were edged 1-0 by Shimizu S-Pulse.

Korea Republic: Losing start for Ulsan
Bruno Mota Rodrigues scored in the second minute of time added on at the end of the second half as Anyang stunned Ulsan HD 1-0 in their 2025 K League 1 opener on Sunday.

The defeat was not something Ulsan - chasing a third consecutive title - would have expected and comes after their elimination from the AFC Champions League Elite™

2024/25.

Former Asian champions Jenbuk Hyundai Motors FC enjoyed a better start, defeating Gimcheon Sangmu 2-1 on Sunday.

The nine-time Korea Republic champions, however, had to come from behind after Yu Kang-hyun gave Gimcheon a 14th minute lead.

Park Jin-seop equalised deep into first half stoppage time with Jeon Se-jin netting the winner in the 81st minute. 

Daegu also got off to a winning start on Sunday, with Cesinha scoring the deciding goal in the third minute of added time. Vitor Gabriel had put Gangwon ahead in the 44th minute with Bruno Lamas equalising in the 56th minute.

Pohang Steelers suffered a 3-0 defeat against a rampant Daejeon Hana on Saturday, with Jo Min-kyu confirming the win with his brace in the 87th and 90th minutes. Choi Geon-ju had given Daejeon the lead in the 32nd minute.

Jeju kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 defeat of FC Seoul while Gwangju FC, who are set to see knockout stage action in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25, were held 0-0 by Suwon FC.

Kitchee and Lee Man registered crucial wins as they edged closer to Hong Kong Premier League leaders Tai Po on Sunday.

Kitchee defeated Hong Kong FC 3-1, fighting back from going behind to Callum Thomas Beattie's 32nd minute opener with Fernando drawing them level in first half stoppage time.

Beattie then suffered the misfortune of turning the ball into his own net with Sherzod Temirov completing the turnaround with his stoppage time effort.

Kitchee moved up to 29 points, three behind Tai Po with Lee Man a further point adrift.

Lee Man defeated Eastern 4-3, leapfrogging their beaten opponents into third place.

Wong Wai (19th, 79th), Samuel Rosa Goncalves (71st) and Paulinho (77th) netted for Lee Man while Marcos Gondra (45+7), Alexander Jojo (48th) and Leung Chun Pong (57th) were Eastern's scorers. 

In Saturday's matches, Southern District defeated North District 4-1 while Hong Kong FC and Kowloon City shared a 2-2 draw in a match which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.

Photo: FC Anyang