A spectacular 30-yard strike from national team star Shunsuke Nakamura helped Yokohama F Marinos on their way to a shock 4-0 thrashing of Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday afternoon.
Making only his second appearance after returning to Yokohama from Spanish side Espanyol, Nakamura needed just eight minutes to register his first J. League goal in as many years with a perfectly placed effort that looped agonisingly over the flailing arm of Frontale ‘keeper Eiji Kawashima. Two goals from Koji Yamase then made the Marinos lead virtually unassailable even by half time, before Nakamura’s corner found the head of Yuzo Kurihara at the far post to complete the four-goal rout on the hour mark.
The win takes Yokohama above Kawasaki into fourth, with Shimizu S-Pulse the new leaders after a shot from even longer range gave them a 1-0 victory at home to Vissel Kobe. The match appeared headed for a goalless stalemate until Eddy Bosnar’s low free kick somehow found its way through both wall and goalkeeper from around 35 yards with eight minutes left on the clock. S-Pulse are joined on seven points by Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who enjoyed an easy 3-1 win at newly-promoted Shonan Bellmare, and reigning champions Kashima Antlers, who needed a late goal from Yuya Osako to overcome Omiya Ardija.
Elsewhere, there were 0-0 draws for both Osaka clubs, but while Cerezo will have been reasonably happy with a point at ambitious FC Tokyo, Gamba’s home stalemate with Albirex Niigata makes it six games without a win this season for the Emperor’s Cup holders. The team’s striking problems were compounded by an injury to Brazilian forward Lucas and doubts over the future of Pedro Junior, who reacted angrily to being substituted just 24 minutes after coming on to replace his stricken compatriot.
Vegalta Sendai’s winning start on their J1 return was ended with a 2-1 defeat at Kyoto Sanga in Saturday’s remaining match, while Sunday’s fixtures saw Montedio Yamagata hold Urawa Reds to a 1-1 draw and Nagoya Grampus enjoy a 2-0 victory against Jubilo Iwata.
J1 results (matchday 3)
Shonan Bellmare 1-3 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 Vissel Kobe
Kyoto Sanga 2-1 Vegalta Sendai
Yokohama F Marinos 4-0 Kawasaki Frontale
Omiya Ardija 0-1 Kashima Antlers
Gamba Osaka 0-0 Albirex Niigata
FC Tokyo 0-0 Cerezo Osaka
Montedio Yamagata 1-1 Urawa Reds
Nagoya Grampus 2-0 Jubilo Iwata
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