As major the European leagues are getting into their stride, East Asia's big-three football nations are entering the final stages of their football competition with much to play for in South Korea and Japan, and much to ponder in China.
Guangzhou Evergrande FC is about to officially celebrate its first-ever title after dominating the 2011 Chinese Super League from start to finish.
With six games remaining, Guangzhou, currently the biggest spender in Asian soccer thanks to the financial backing of Evergrande Real Estate, is 12 points clear of Beijing Guoan after losing just once all season.
The team was promoted in 2010 with a policy of signing famous Chinese stars such as Zheng Zhi, who appeared in the English Premier League with Charlton Athletic, former PSV Eindhoven defender Sun Xiang and international striker Gao Lin. In the offseason, Guangzhou spent $6 million on Brazilian striker Cleo.
The club was already clear at the top of the league in the summer when it paid Brazilian club Fluminese $10 million for Argentine midfielder Dario Conca.
Coach Lee Jang-soo told Associated Press that the team's success is not just down to expensive signings.
''We have worked hard in every game and the players have worked hard from the start to the finish,'' South Korean-born Lee said. ''The mentality of the players has been very impressive and they have maintained their team spirit and diligence from the very first game.''
Ominously for the rest of China, Lee is looking to strengthen the team if possible during the offseason ahead of the team's first attempt at the Asian Champions League.
''We will try to improve the team if we can after the season ends,'' Lee said. ''The Asian Champions League is a tough competition. At the moment however, we are focusing on rest of the Chinese Super League season.''
Conca, reportedly the third-highest paid player in the world, is settling in well and scored in the opening minutes of his debut.
''The club's blueprint is to win the Asian championship within the next five years and I am hoping I can play a key part in that,'' he said.
Japanese fans are accustomed to thrilling title races, with the benchmark set in 2005 when four teams entered the final day separated by a single point before Gamba Osaka lifted the trophy. The 2011 season could live up to that standard with four points between the top-four and eight games remaining.
Gamba Osaka leads the standings and is in the midst of an 11-match unbeaten run during which it has collected 25 points.
With the next two games against relegation battlers Ventforet Kofu and Urawa Reds, Gamba can pull clear at the top before a crucial clash with defending champion and fourth-placed Nagoya Grampus.
Like Gamba, Nagoya started the season slowly. But after elimination from the Asian Champions League, the team steadily climbed the standings.
The surprise of the season has been Kashiwa Reysol which won promotion last season. Contrary to expectation, Kashiwa's challenge has not faded and the team currently lies in second, just a point behind Gamba.
Kashiwa underlined its credentials with a 2-1 win over Nagoya earlier this month.
''For us this is a huge win,'' said the club's Brazilian coach Nelsinho. ''Especially as we are now moving into the last stretch of the season.''
The other Japanese contender is Yokohama F Marinos, currently in third place. The club dominated the league in the early part of the last decade, but those days looked to have passed until this season.
Yokohama has mounted its challenge on a miserly defense, conceding just 23 goals in 26 games - 19 less than leaders Gamba.
South Korea has spent much of the season dealing with a match-fixing scandal that has shocked fans with its score - with over 60 players indicted by prosecutors.
Despite off-pitch distractions, Asia's oldest professional league has enjoyed one of its most entertaining campaigns in recent memory.
The title race is only a means to an end to the championship playoffs, where the top-six decide the title. Finishing first in the regular season is still meaningful as the team progresses straight to the final of the playoffs.
Jeonbuk Motors has led since the early stages, scoring 59 goals from 25 league games. Pohang Steelers has also impressed in second, while defending champion FC Seoul recovered from a poor start, which saw new coach Hwangbo Kwan resign, to move into third.
Suwon Bluewings has also climbed the table after an indifferent first half of the season and sits in fourth.
Pohang has the advantage of being the only member of the quartet not engaged in the Asian Champions League, with the other three preparing for the second legs of their quarterfinals.
''Games are coming thick and fast,'' said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee. ''It is important to give players a rest whenever you can and trust the other players in your roster. Even though we are tired we will always give all our effort in every game.''
