Naohiro Takahara scored twice as Urawa Reds downed Montedio Yamagata 3-2 today as they and Albirex Niigata trimmed the advantage of runaway J. League leaders Kashima Antlers to seven points.
Albirex made their move up to second place on goal difference ahead of Urawa after easing to a 4-0 win over Kashiwa Reysol, although Kashima can restore their 10-point cushion when they face Kawasaki Frontale tomorrow.
At Yamagata's ND Stadium, Tatsuya Furuhashi converted after 25 minutes following good work from Katsuyuki Miyazawa to hand Montedio the lead.
Marcus Tulio Tanaka headed against the post 12 minutes later as the Reds responded before Brazilian striker Edmilson equalised from the penalty spot a minute before the break.
The Reds improved after half-time following the introduction of Brazilian midfielder Robson Ponte and defender Yoshiya Nishizawa and claimed the lead three minutes into the second half as Takahara fired home.
Montedio, roared on by a season-high crowd, came close to an equaliser through substitute striker Tomotaka Kitamura before Kohei Miyazaki pulled his side level with 11 minutes remaining as he headed Yu Hasegawa's cross past Reds goalkeeper Ryota Tsuzuki.
But with eight minutes remaining Takahara headed home from Tulio's cross to hand the Reds all three points.
"After we went behind 1-0, our players responded well to come back into the game. However, we were not hustling enough when we had to in the first half," said Reds manager Volker Finke.
"We fixed that problem with some tactical changes and showed our spirit more in the second half."
In Kashiwa, striker Pedro Junior scored twice to highlight Albirex's 4-0 win.
Yusuke Murakami's eighth-minute own goal sent the visitors on their way before Marcio Richardes doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time as his deflected shot found the net.
A brilliant individual goal from Brazilian striker Pedro Junior doubled the lead three minutes after the break before his last-minute penalty sealed Albirex's ninth win of the season.
Elsewhere, FC Tokyo moved up to fifth place as Naohiro Ishikawa and Brazilian striker Cabore scored as they recorded a third straight win with a 2-0 triumph over Vissel Kobe.
South Korean defender Lee Jung-soo struck a stoppage time equaliser as Kyoto Sanga fought back from 3-1 down to earn a 3-3 draw at Shimizu S-Pulse, while Omiya Ardija were held to a 0-0 draw by Yokohama F. Marinos
Finally, JEF United Chiba edged struggling Oita Trinita 2-1.
At Yamagata's ND Stadium, Tatsuya Furuhashi converted after 25 minutes following good work from Katsuyuki Miyazawa to hand Montedio the lead.
Marcus Tulio Tanaka headed against the post 12 minutes later as the Reds responded before Brazilian striker Edmilson equalised from the penalty spot a minute before the break.
The Reds improved after half-time following the introduction of Brazilian midfielder Robson Ponte and defender Yoshiya Nishizawa and claimed the lead three minutes into the second half as Takahara fired home.
Montedio, roared on by a season-high crowd, came close to an equaliser through substitute striker Tomotaka Kitamura before Kohei Miyazaki pulled his side level with 11 minutes remaining as he headed Yu Hasegawa's cross past Reds goalkeeper Ryota Tsuzuki.
But with eight minutes remaining Takahara headed home from Tulio's cross to hand the Reds all three points.
"After we went behind 1-0, our players responded well to come back into the game. However, we were not hustling enough when we had to in the first half," said Reds manager Volker Finke.
"We fixed that problem with some tactical changes and showed our spirit more in the second half."
In Kashiwa, striker Pedro Junior scored twice to highlight Albirex's 4-0 win.
Yusuke Murakami's eighth-minute own goal sent the visitors on their way before Marcio Richardes doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time as his deflected shot found the net.
A brilliant individual goal from Brazilian striker Pedro Junior doubled the lead three minutes after the break before his last-minute penalty sealed Albirex's ninth win of the season.
Elsewhere, FC Tokyo moved up to fifth place as Naohiro Ishikawa and Brazilian striker Cabore scored as they recorded a third straight win with a 2-0 triumph over Vissel Kobe.
South Korean defender Lee Jung-soo struck a stoppage time equaliser as Kyoto Sanga fought back from 3-1 down to earn a 3-3 draw at Shimizu S-Pulse, while Omiya Ardija were held to a 0-0 draw by Yokohama F. Marinos
Finally, JEF United Chiba edged struggling Oita Trinita 2-1.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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