J.League wrap: Yokohama keep perfect start

Yokohama F. Marinos made it three wins from as many J.League matches this season while Sagan Tosu beat Kawasaki Frontale 5-4 on Saturday.

Yokohama finished fourth last term, missing out on qualification for the AFC Champions League by just two points.

But the early signs indicate they will fare even better in the current campaign as they continued their perfect record with a 2-1 win over Jubilo Iwata.

Yuzo Kurihara fired the winners in front after 45 minutes but Hiroki Yamada quickly levelled to ensure the two sides were locked at 1-1 at the break.

Shingo Hyodo bagged the winner on the hour-mark though, with the free-scoring Yokohama F. Marinos side having netted 11 goals in three matches this season.

There was no shortage of drama at the Best Amenity Stadium in Tosu, as a thrilling contest produced eight second-half goals.

The winners, Sagan Tosu, led 4-0 after 54 minutes thanks to goals from Kei Ikeda, Kim Min-Woo, Kota Mizunuma and Yohei Toyoda.

An improbable comeback became possible after Yoshito Okubo and Yu Kobayashi scored for Kawasaki Frontale but Toyoda’s second looked to have snuffed out their chances.

Renatinho and Patric scored in the last seven minutes for Kawasaki Frontale to set up a thrilling finale but they fell just short in a great game of football.

Cerezo Osaka have also won all three of their matches this season, with their latest success coming in a 1-0 home win over Tokyo.

Hotaru Yamaguchi scored the only goal of the game after 47 minutes.

Other results saw the Urawa Reds come from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at Oita Trinita, Vegalta Sendai edged Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 thanks to a late Wilson winner and Shonan Bellmare drew 1-1 with Shimizu S-Pulse.

Nagoya Grampus won 1-0 at Ventforet Kofu and Albirex Niigata scored late in a 1-1 draw at Omiya Ardija.