Asian trio find scoring touch in Serie A

AFC - Together with Iranian defender Rahman Rezaei, Japanese internationals Shunsuke Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata both found the net after the weekend round of Serie A matches played in Italy.

Nakata continued his scoring spree against Juventus on Saturday, notching a goal in the 65th minute to help steer Parma to a controversial 2-2 draw against the Turin side. Nakata’s goal on the weekend was his fifth against Juventus since he arrived in Italy to join Perugia four seasons ago, with that effort being his second against Juve this year after Parma’s Italian Cup loss in April.

Nakata's fellow countryman, Reggina’s Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura scored his second goal in as many weeks on the weekend. Nakamura scored from the penalty spot in last week’s 2-1 loss to Inter Milan, and the former Yokohama F Marinos man hit another from the same spot this week, a goal that helped Reggina claim a 1-1 draw at Como.

Rahman Rezaei headed Perugia to a eighth minute lead in his side’s home game against Empoli but the visitors stormed back to win 3-1 at the end of the match.

Meanwhile in England, there were contrasting results for two Chinese internationals, Manchester City defender Sun Jihai and Everton defensive midfielder Li Tie.

Sun was on the losing end of a 3-0 scoreline after a Michael Owen hat-trick condemned the Maine Road side to their first loss at home this season. It was, however, a happier outing for Li on the weekend, with the loan signing from Liaoning Bodao spearheading in central midfield to help Everton claim a 2-0 home victory against Fulham.

Japanese international Junichi Inamoto started for Fulham but the loan signing from Gamba Osaka was substituted midway through the second half during that contest at Goodison Park.