22.08.2015 15:53 h

Urawa Reds roll to third straight win

Urawa Reds rolled to their third straight victory with a 3-1 win over Vegalta Sendai as Kashima Antlers enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 result to lead the J-League's second stage on Saturday.

Yosuke Kashiwagi opened the scoring for the Reds nine minutes into the first half, after winning a free kick thanks to a foul by Kim Min-Tae.

Vegalta's Ryang Yong-Gi soon wiped out the lead, but Japan international Yuki Muto responded with Urawa's second goal, and assisted on the third by Zlatan Ljubijankic to power the Reds to victory.

Kashima Antlers, meanwhile, thumped Montedio Yamagata 3-0 at home, ensuring they held on to the J-League's top spot with 19 points in eight matches.

Urawa now have 14 points from eight games.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima stayed one point behind Kashima after a 2-0 win against Albirex Niigata, while Kashiwa Reysol were also one point off the top spot following a 2-0 win against Matsumoto Yamaga on Thursday.