Wagner fires Kashiwa into J. League top spot
KASHIWA, Chiba Pref. — Jorge Wagner fired Kashiwa Reysol back to top of the table and increased Montedio Yamagata's relegation fears in the process with a 1-0 win in the J. League first division on Sunday.
The Brazilian midfielder secured the points with a twice-taken penalty in the first half to put Reysol two points ahead of Gamba Osaka, who were thrashed 4-1 by champions Nagoya Grampus on Saturday.
With five games of the season left, the title race remains poised for a dramatic climax. Kashiwa has 59 points, Gamba have 57, Grampus have 56 while Yokohama F. Marinos, held 1-1 by Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday, are a further four points adrift.
"We thought this would be our last chance. Going top of the table was very much in our minds and we stayed clam and got the result," said Kashiwa captain Hidekazu Otani.
"The most important thing is to keep picking up three points and we got the job done today. We are top because of the results we have built up and all we have to do is keep it going."
Ryoichi Kurisawa went close to giving Kashiwa the lead midway through the first-half when he drew a smart save from Kenta Shimizu and the home side deservedly made the breakthrough 12 minutes before halftime.- by http://www.japantimes.co.jp
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