Yokohama defeats Hiroshima 3-1
Yokohama kept a two-point lead on 15 points over Urawa Red Diamonds.
TOKYO (AFP) - Kosuke Nakamachi scored a game-deciding goal to lead Yokohama Marinos to a 3-1 win over defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima and keep the lead in the J-League standings on Saturday.
Nakamachi cashed in on a Shingo Hyodo pass in the 74th minute before Brazilian striker Marquinhos added an insurance goal from short range on a rebound off goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa in the 80th.
Earlier, Seitaro Tomisawa and Yojiro Takahagi evened the score at 1-1.
"We went into the game trying to fight against last year s champions and beat them. It was tough in the second half, but my players did very well, keeping their attacks at bay and playing simple. That s why we won," said Yokohama coach Yasuhiro Higuchi.
"I d like to thank my players who played tough and I m glad we gave three points from the win to our supporters," he added.
With a fifth straight win against no defeats this season, Yokohama kept a two-point lead on 15 points over Urawa Red Diamonds.
Urawa came back from a goal down to beat Jubilo Iwata 2-1 thanks to Japan international striker Genki Haraguchi s decider two minutes into injury time.
"It was a tough game," said Haraguchi. "But we never gave up till the end. It was the result of our efforts. I hit carefully watching their goalkeeper."
In other games, Albirex Niigata defeated Vegalta Sendai, Omiya Ardija downed FC Tokyo, Ventforet Kofu outclassed Oita Trinita, Kashima Antlers beat Cerezo Osaka, and Shimizu S-Pulse edged past Sagan Tosu, all in 1-0 scorelines.
Japan international striker Keiji Tamada scored an equaliser in the 71st minute as Nagoya Grampus drew with Kashiwa Reysol 3-3, while Kawasaki Frontale drew with Shonan Bellmare 1-1.
