J-League wrap: Vegalta vault to second, Shimizu thump Omiya

Vegalta Sendai remain unbeaten and moved into second in the J-League after a 1-0 win over Montedio Yamagata on Sunday.

A 52nd-minute strike from Naoki Sugai ensured Makoto Teguramori’s side are the only team yet to lose after seven games.

They are within one point of first-placed Kashiwa Reysol, while Montedio Yamagata remain in the bottom two following the loss.

Shimizu S-Pulse recorded just their second win of the season with a 4-1 thrashing of Omiya Ardija.

Striker Naohiro Takahara hit a brace after Australian attacker Alex Brosque had opened the scoring, with defender Shinji Tsujio chiming in with a fourth before Rafael’s late consolation goal.

Brosque made it 1-0 after 39 minutes, sliding into the back post to place home to give the visitors the lead.

The Australian forward was involved in the second as he provided the lay-off with his chest for Takahara to volley home.

Takahara was the beneficiary of a horrible defensive lapse for his second five minutes into the second half, capitalising on a wayward 20-yard back pass before placing home.

Tsujio hit a fourth 20 minutes from the end before Rafael’s 90th-minute goal, as Shimzu moved into 11th, one spot below Omiya Ardija.