Velez Sarsfield continued their storming start to move clear at the top of the Argentinian Clausura, while Guadalajara edged out Toluca to increase their advantage in the overall Mexican standings.

Over in Japan, the champions got their campaign underway in emphatic fashion and the Brazilian state leagues produced a mixed bag of the results. Read on as FIFA.com brings you right up to date with some of the biggest leagues outside of Europe.

Argentinian Clausura: Velez take charge
A 1-0 win over Newell's Old Boys took Hugo Tocalli's well-drilled Velez Sarsfield clear at the top of the table. Losing their share of first place were Boca Juniors, held 1-1 at home by Independiente after playing 55 minutes with ten men. Star of the show again was Juan Roman Riquelme, scorer of the Xeneizes' equaliser.

In another big game this weekend, River Plate were grateful to come away from La Plata with a point against Estudiantes. On his first visit to the club where he won the Apertura title in 2006, recently installed Millonarios' coach Diego Simeone would have been hoping for a less negative reception from his former faithful.

Big game:Down to just nine men for 45 minutes of their match against Gimnasia Jujuy, Arsenal fought back for a heroic 3-3 draw, keeper Mario Cuenca levelling the game with a last-minute penalty.
Headline grabbers:Visitors San Lorenzo helped deepen Racing Club's woes with a narrow 1-0 success. To add insult to injury, the goal was scored by former RacinguistaGonzalo Bergessio.

Mexican Clausura: Chivas edge high-flying clash
The eagerly anticipated match between Group 1 leaders Toluca and Group 3 pacesetters Guadalajara ended in a 1-0 victory for Chivas. The win kept the Rebaño Sagrado three points clear of pool rivals San Luis, 2-1 winners at America.

Jose Pekerman's Toluca remain top of their section after closest challengers Pachuca could only draw at home to Vera Cruz. Over in Group 2, Santos' thrilling 3-3 draw at Puebla extended their lead at the top to five points. Second-placed Atlas lost to Jaguares on their travels.

Big game:A brace from defender Jose Rivas helped Tigres take the northern derby 3-2 against Monterrey side Rayados. Manuel Lapuente thus emerged victorious against Ricardo LaVolpe in the duel between the former Mexico coaches.
Headline grabbers:America lie bottom of Group 2 after San Luis inflicted the Águilas' fifth consecutive defeat.

BrazilianStateChampionships: Corinthians gather momentum
Corinthians struck a blow for the old guard in the Paulista State Championship by beating surprise leaders Guaratingueta 2-0 at home. The win elevated Mano Menezes' side to fourth, while Palmeiras also improved their chances of reaching the semi-finals with a comprehensive 5-2 win at Bragantino.

Ponte Preta picked up a point to assume the runners-up position, three points off the pace, while Barueri and Sao Paulo both lost to drop from second and fourth respectively.

Big game:All eyes were on the clash between Mineiro State Championship heavyweights Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro, which ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw. The result better suited the visitors, who remain in first place.
Headline grabbers:After ten rounds of the Gaucho State Championship, Gremio's 1-0 success over Novo Hamburgo leaves the Porto Alegre outfit as the only unbeaten side in the competition. Previously unbeaten Caixas went down 1-0 to Ulbra.

Japanese J-League: Champions off to a flyer
Holders Kashima Antlers showed no signs of resting on their laurels with a 4-0 reverse of newly-promotedConsadole Sapporo. Fellow title favourites Gamba Osaka were held at home by JEF United, while Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds lost away to Yokohama Marinos.

Big game:Tokyo Verdy struck in the 89th minute to deny Kawasaki Frontale all three points. Frontale had led through Yosuki Mori's strike, before a decisive late intervention from Brazilian Diego de Souza.
Headline grabbers:After defeat against FC Yokohama cost Urawa Red Diamonds last year's league title, Urawa kicked off the new campaign by losing to FC's city neighbours Marinos.

Elsewhere
The Moroccan title race is hotting up, with the top five teams separated by just five points. Khouribga won to go first on 38 points, at least until FAR Rabat, one point back, play their postponed match against RCA Casablanca. Khemisset and DH El Jadida both lost and fell three and two points behind Khouribga respectively.

There was no change at the top in New Zealand, meanwhile, where Auckland City's 2-0 home win over Otago United keeps them three points clear of Waitakere United, 1-0 victors over Canterbury United. Team Wellington, 2-0 winners over Waikato FC, stay third, six points behind the leaders.