J-League wrap: Kashiwa go top as competition resumes

Newly promoted Kashiwa Reysol continued their perfect start to the J-League season on Saturday with a 1-0 away win over Omiya Ardija.

As the J-League resumed for the first time since the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami that wreaked havoc on Japan, last year’s J-2 champions moved to the top of the table with the win, which came courtesy of a goal from Brazilian striker Leandro Domingues after 54 minutes.

The result gives Kashiwa Reysol a maximum six points from their opening two games.

Shimizu S-Pulse bounced back from their 3-0 loss to Kashiwa Reysol in their opener with a 1-0 win over another promoted outfit, Avispa Fukuoka, with Genki Omae scoring the only goal of the game 10 minutes from the end.

Last season’s fourth-placed side Kashima Antlers suffered a 3-0 loss at home to Yokohama F Marinos.

Shohei Ogura opened the scoring for the visitors after two minutes and a second-half brace from defender Yuzo Kurihara wrapped up the three points.

Vegalta Sendai had to come from a goal down to score a 2-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale on the road.

Yudai Tanaka fired the hosts ahead six minutes before half-time, but late goals from Yoshiaki Ota and Jiro Kamata secured a memorable win for Vegalta Sendai.

And promoted Ventforet Kofu played out a 1-1 draw at home with Vissel Kobe after a goal from Brazilian defender Daniel cancelled out Yoshito Okubo’s 41st-minute opener for the visitors.