Japanese international midfielder Yuki Abe scored a second-half brace to give Urawa Red Diamonds a 2-0 win over Albirex Niigata and lift his side to the top of the J-League on Saturday.
Abe opened the scoring in the 73rd minute after a pass from Wilfried Sanou of Burkina Faso, doubling the lead from Brazilian Ponte's free kick in the 81st minute.
"We accomplished our goal today," said Urawa's German coach Volker Finke. "The quality of our play, the percentage of our ball possession, and the number of shots and chances... and we controlled the game for 90 minutes," he added.
Urawa have four wins from six matches, level with Kawasaki Frontale, who beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-0, on 13 points. Urawa top the table on goal difference.
The quality of our play, the percentage of our ball possession, and the number of shots and chances... and we controlled the game for 90 minutes.
Urawa's coach Volker Finke was impressed with his team
Nagoya Grampus are in third place on 12 points with Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers on 11 points. Goals from Brazilian-born Japanese international Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Australian international striker Joshua Kennedy gave Nagoya a 2-0 win over Kyoto Sanga.
Defending champions Kashima Antlers were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Tokyo. Korean defender Lee Jung-Soo handled the ball in the area to give Tokyo a penalty, which Sota Hirayama netted in the fourth minute. Japanese international forward Shinzo Koroki levelled shortly before half-time.
Gamba Osaka finally posted their first win of the season, outclassing Omiya Ardija 3-1 while the matches between Shonan Bellmare and Jubilo Iwata, and Yokohama Marinos and Cerezo Osaka, were both scoreless draws.
Shimizu were to play Vegalta Sentai on Sunday, with Vissel Kobe facing Montedio Yamagata.
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