Results in Brazil and Japan have made the final league round a mouth-watering prospect, while there were surprises in Egypt and Australia.

Despite being held to a 0-0 draw at home on the final day, Shandong Luneng were crowned Chinese champions for the third time on Sunday.

Espanyol have sacked their coach Bartolome Marquez after their poor start to the season, which has left the club on the edge of the drop zone.

Two goals from playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme kept Boca Juniors two points clear in Argentina, with unfancied Tigre moving up to second.

France and USA reached the semi-finals, with Eugenie Le Sommer and Sydney Leroux starring again in respective defeats of Nigeria and England.

Three unanswered goals in the second half were enough to send the USA through to the semi-finals at Chile 2008, at the expense of England.

Sao Paulo missed the chance to claim the Brazilian title with a game to spare, as they were held to a 1-1 draw, while closest rivals Gremio won.

Sir Alex Ferguson says that he will remain as Manchester United manager for the foreseeable future, insisting that retirement is not on the agenda.

Nora Coton Pelagie's late goal earned France a spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Chile 2008, while Nigeria head home.

Nagoya Grampus kept their hopes of winning the J-League championship alive with a 3-1 win over Consadole Sapporo of the Second Division.