J. League Division 1

Football: Omiya stretch J-League lead

Agence France-PresseMay 18, 2013 09:30

Daigo Watanabe scored one goal and assisted another to lead J-League leaders Omiya Ardija to a 2-1 win over Shonan Bellmare on Saturday as they stretched the lead in the standings. Watanabe sent a cross to the centre, where Slovenian international striker Zlatan Ljubijankic fired home from close range to open the scoring in the 15th minute. After Kazunari Ono made it 1-1 in the 18th minute, Omiya connected five passes for Watanabe's decider in the 81st minute.

Football: Sendai beat J-League leaders Omiya

Agence France-PresseMay 11, 2013 09:45

Vegalta Sendai stopped J-League leaders Omiya Ardija's non-losing streak at 21 games since last August with a 2-1 victory on Saturday. Forward Shingo Akamine collected a rebound after a corner kick to open scoring in the seventh minute, and then Brazilian striker Wilson completed a counter-attack to make it 2-0 in the 44th minute. Zlatan Ljubijankic received a pass from fellow Slovenian forward Milivoje Novakovic to pull one back for Omiya in the 65th minute, but that was all they could do as Sendai kept their attacks at bay.

Football: Omiya stretch J-League lead

Agence France-PresseMay 6, 2013 10:30

Forward Takamitsu Tomiyama scored the winner to give Omiya Ardija a 2-1 win over defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima and stretch the lead in the J-League standings on Monday. Slovenian forward Milivoje Novakovic headed home a cross from the right to put Omiya one up in the 67th minute, but Japan international striker Hisato Sato made it even 10 minutes later before Tomiyama nodded home in the 84th.

Football: Osaka, Yokohama tied for J-League lead

Agence France-PresseMarch 16, 2013 09:15

Defender Hotaru Yamaguchi scored the only goal to give Cerezo Osaka a 1-0 win over FC Tokyo on Saturday, sharing top place with J-League leaders Yokohama Marinos. Yamaguchi received a pass from Takumi Minamino in the area to fire an eight-metre shot two minutes into the second half for the decider, while their tight defence kept Tokyo attacks at bay. "We couldn't win such a close game last season. It was a goal scored by everybody's effort," said Yamaguchi.

Football: J-League rollercoaster rumbles into action

Agence France-PresseFebruary 28, 2013 23:15

Sanfrecce Hiroshima face a tough start to their J-League title defence on Saturday -- and they will be aware that in one of Asia's toughest leagues, a winning pedigree is no guarantee of success. Hiroshima, who won Japan's traditional curtain-raiser, the Super Cup, 1-0 against Kashiwa Reysol last week, get down to league business against Urawa Red Diamonds, who are led by former Sanfrecce coach Mihailo Petrovic.

UPDATE 1-Soccer-Sato stunner seals Super Cup for Hiroshima

Thomson ReutersFebruary 23, 2013 04:45

(Adds Sato quotes) * Hiroshima beat Reysol to win Super Cup * Sato scores only goal Feb 23 (Reuters) - Striker Hisato Sato lit up a dull Japanese Super Cup with a stunning strike to give J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima a 1-0 win over Emperor's Cup holders Kashiwa Reysol in Tokyo on Saturday.