Asian Roundup

Yokohama beats Tokyo Verdy to top J-League

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan striker Tatsuhiko Kubo scored his first goal since his pre-season move to Yokohama F-Marinos in a 3-0 victory at Tokyo Verdy that sent the visitor to the top of the J-League on Saturday.

Kubo celebrated his recall to the Japan squad for the friendly against South Korea in Seoul on Wednesday with a clinical left-foot volley just before the interval at Tokyo Stadium.

Substitute Norihisa Shimizu added two more goals in the second half as Yokohama climbed from third to first with seven points from three first-stage matches.

However, title favorite Kashima Antlers can retake top spot if it records its third straight win of the season at Nagoya Grampus Eight on Sunday.

JEF United Ichihara had started the day top of the 16-team first division but crashed to defeat, 3-0 at home to Vissel Kobe, where striker Ryuji Bando scored either side of halftime.

Meanwhile, forward Daiki Takamatsu also netted twice as Oita Trinita beat Gamba Osaka 3-2 at the "Big Eye" World Cup Stadium for its first victory in the top flight.

J-League champion Jubilo Iwata won for the first time in three matches, midfielder Toshiya Fujita pouncing on the hour in a 1-0 triumph over troubled Urawa Reds in torrential rain in Shizuoka.

In other matches, Brazilian midfielder scored in the 10th minute as Kashiwa Reysol beat Kyoto Purple Sanga 1-0 away, while Cerezo Osaka was held to a goalless draw by FC Tokyo at Nagai Stadium.

Shimizu S-Pulse travels to Vegalta Sendai in the only other J-1 fixture on Sunday.

Seongnam beat Bucheon 4-2 in K-League

SEOUL (Reuters) -- Striker Sasa Drakulic scored twice as South Korean champion Seongnam Ilhwa beat struggling Bucheon SK 4-2 on Saturday to make it five wins out of five in the K-League this season.

Drakulic converted a 10th-minute penalty to make it 2-0 and then scored number four for Seongnam with a wonderful solo effort in the 54th minute.

Bucheon pulled back two goals but it was too little too late for the bottom club, who have now lost five in a row.

Suwon Blue Wings holds the record for the most consecutive wins at the start of a K-League season with seven in 1998.

In the only other K-League match on Saturday, Pohang Steelers were held 0-0 at home by fourth-placed Suwon.

The remaining four fixtures will be played on Sunday.

 

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