World NewsMarquinhos Sends Adelaide ACL Kashima Top |
Brazilian forward Marquinhos scored one and set up another to give Kashima Antlers a 2-0 win over Yokohama F Marinos and send them top of the J.League at Nissan Stadium on Sunday night.
Marquinhos put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute by firing home from mid-range before the 32-year-old Brazilian dribbled up the left on the half-hour mark and fed a pass to Shinzo Koroki, who tapped the ball into the net.Marinos, who were desperate to end their five-game losing streak, pushed forward in the second half and came close through efforts from midfielder Koji Yamase and defender Naoki Matsuda.
And in stoppage time Matsuda hit the post before Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata saved the rebound to keep a clean sheet.
"I knew it would be a tough game as Marinos always give us a hard time at their home," said Kashima manager Osvaldo Oliveira.
"We got two early goals and Marinos then came into the game. We could have made it easier if we had scored the other chances we had."
It was Antlers' 15th win in 18 games and they are two points ahead of Urawa Reds, who play Kawasaki Frontale on Monday.
Elsewhere, Gamba Osaka held off JEF United Chiba 1-0 thanks to substitute forward Masato Yamazaki's stoppage-time goal.
Gamba displayed their trademark attacking play from the start and Brazilian forward Bare threatened with a header in the 15th minute.
Yamazaki came off the bench in the 87th minute and the 26-year-old forward's impact was immediate as he grabbed the winner four minutes later.
Former Japan forward Akinori Nishizawa scored twice to help Shimizu S-Pulse to a 3-0 win over Albirex Niigata while Brazilian forward Ueslei struck two goals in the second half to help Oita Trinita come from behind to beat Jubilo Iwata 2-1.
Nine-man Consadole Sapporo battled to a 1-1 draw with Vissel Kobe at home with Brazilian forward Davi cancelling out Botti's opener shortly before half-time.
Consadole goalkeeper Takahiro Takagi was sent off in the 56th minute after touching the ball outside the box and Hironobu Haga left the pitch in the 81st minute for his second bookable offence.
Finally, Tokyo Verdy edged 10-man Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 at home.
Takashi Fukunishi and Brazilian forward Diego each scored to put the hosts 2-0 up before Hidekazu Otani scored a consolation for Reysol. Defender Masahiro Koga was sent off in the 77th minute.
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
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