19.10.2013 15:04 h

Football: Yokohama Marinos take top spot in J-League

Duell in Tokyo
Duell in Tokyo

Yokohama Marinos took charge of the J-League title race on Saturday with a 1-0 win over previous leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima to move two points clear with five games remaining.

Japan winger Manabu Saito sealed the win for Marinos with a goal in the 55th minute, cutting in from the left and beating three defenders before drilling home a shot from the edge of the box.

"We need to keep picking up points in the games we have left," said 23-year-old Saito, who made his Japan debut at the East Asian Cup in July.

"I've never won the championship, and I want to experience it with this team."

Urawa Red Diamonds moved into second, one point ahead of defending champions Sanfrecce, with a 2-1 win over Kashima Antlers.

Daisuke Nasu and Genki Haraguchi gave Urawa a two-goal lead before Yuya Osako pulled one back in the 87th minute for Antlers, who now trail Marinos by six points and dropped from fourth to fifth.

"When you have the third- and fourth-place sides playing each other with so few games left, it's a very difficult game for both teams," said Urawa manager Mihailo Petrovic.

Cerezo Osaka moved into fourth ahead of Kashima on goal difference with a 2-1 victory over Shonan Bellmare.

Japan striker Yoichiro Kakitani notched the winner in the 56th minute. At the other end of the table, former champions Jubilo Iwata slid closer to a first-ever relegation after conceding in injury time to lose 2-1 to Kawasaki Frontale.

League top-scorer Yoshito Okubo struck his 22nd goal of the season in the 94th minute to leave Jubilo 10 points adrift of safety, although a 2-0 loss for fourth-from-bottom Ventforet Kofu against Kashiwa Reysol lessened the damage.

Elsewhere, already relegated Oita Trinita picked up just their second win of the season, 1-0 over Omiya Ardija, while Sho Ito hit a hat-trick as Shimizu S-Pulse beat Sagan Tosu 6-4.

Brazilian striker Wilson scored his second goal of the game in the 93rd minute to give Vegalta Sendai a 2-1 win over Nagoya Grampus, and FC Tokyo beat Albirex Niigata 2-0.