J-League wrap: Vegalta overtake Kashiwa

Vegalta Sendai climbed to the top of the J-League with a 1-0 win at home to Avispa Fukuoka on Tuesday, with Kashiwa Reysol losing the lead.

Japan international Shingo Akamine struck the winning goal for hosts Vegalta in the 78th minute at Sendai Stadium.

The win lifts them into first place on the table at the expense of Kashiwa, who went down 2-1 away to Montedio Yamagata.

Hideaki Kitajima had levelled for Kashiwa after defender Hidenori Ishii put the hosts ahead, but striker Yu Hasegawa’s effort seven minutes from time secured all three points for Yamagata.

Defeat leaves Kashiwa second, one point behind Sendai.

Yokohama F. Marinos are two points off the pace in third following a 2-0 win away to Urawa Reds, with forward Kazuma Watanabe and defensive midfielder Shohei Ogura on target for the visitors.

In other matches, Brazilian Bruno Lopes scored the only goal as Albirex Niigata saw off the visit of Vissel Kobe 1-0, while Kawasaki Frontale beat Jubilo Iwata by the same score-line thanks to a last-minute strike from Yu Kobayashi.

Ventforet Kofu needed an equaliser from Yoshiro Abe to draw 1-1 at home to Omiya Ardija, who led early in the match through Keigo Higashi.

Finally, David Mujiri’s 70th-minute goal saw Sanfrecce Hiroshima win 1-0 away to Shimizu S-Pulse.