The towering striker finished off Kensuke Nagai's good work of the left side of the box, with a cool flick to open the scoring in the ninth minute.

Kennedy, who hadn't scored since the May 6 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale, had several other chances to score but couldn't add to his tally.

The result moves Nagoya up to fourth on the table after five games unbeaten.

Elsewhere in Japan, Jade North was out suspended as bottom-placed Consadole Sapporo lost 1-0 at home to fellow battlers Albirex Niigata.

Alex Brosque put in a full shift as midtable Shimizu S-Pulse drew 0-0 with Kawasaki Frontale.