Roaring winds and driving rain across eastern Japan lead to several surprising results, reminding observers that as always there's no such thing as a sure leader in the J-League
The nearly 10,000 fans that braved the rain at Osaka's Nagai Stadium were in for a treat, with Cerezo hosting high-flying Vegalta Sendai. Both teams had surrendered just one goal going into this weekend, but the home team found themselves at a disadvantage after having to give two defenders, Tatsuya Yamashita and Masato Kurogi, their first start of the season.
Cerezo's first solid chance came in the 16th minute when Hiroshi Kiyotake's volley deflected off a defender before hitting the crossbar. Vegalta responded minutes later as Yoshiaki Ota forced a fine save by Kim Jin-Hyon. The visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute on the counter when Brazilian attacker Wilson stuffed in a rebound for his first J1 goal. Cerezo attempted to spur on a second-half comeback by bringing on super-sub Ryuji Bando and switching to two upfront. But Vegalta doubled their lead after Ota again broke down the opposition, sending a cross past Kim to a waiting Shingo Akamine who headed the ball in.
The hosts pressed the attack and Bando even took back a late goal to make it 2-1, but despite five minutes of extra time Vegalta's defence did not falter and the northern club would end the day alone at the top of the league table.
The nearly 10,000 fans that braved the rain at Osaka's Nagai Stadium were in for a treat, with Cerezo hosting high-flying Vegalta Sendai. Both teams had surrendered just one goal going into this weekend, but the home team found themselves at a disadvantage after having to give two defenders, Tatsuya Yamashita and Masato Kurogi, their first start of the season.
Cerezo's first solid chance came in the 16th minute when Hiroshi Kiyotake's volley deflected off a defender before hitting the crossbar. Vegalta responded minutes later as Yoshiaki Ota forced a fine save by Kim Jin-Hyon. The visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute on the counter when Brazilian attacker Wilson stuffed in a rebound for his first J1 goal. Cerezo attempted to spur on a second-half comeback by bringing on super-sub Ryuji Bando and switching to two upfront. But Vegalta doubled their lead after Ota again broke down the opposition, sending a cross past Kim to a waiting Shingo Akamine who headed the ball in.
The hosts pressed the attack and Bando even took back a late goal to make it 2-1, but despite five minutes of extra time Vegalta's defence did not falter and the northern club would end the day alone at the top of the league table.
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