TOKYO: Striker Yoshihito Fujita kept Yokohama Marinos at the top of the J-League on Saturday with a brace ,which included a last-gasp strike to snatch a 3-2 win over FC Tokyo.
Fujita put a 12-yard left-footed shot into the back of the net in injury time, adding to a headed goal following a Takashi Amano pass in the 68th minute.
FC Tokyo must have thought they had done enough to get a draw when Kazuma Watanabe equalized with just eight minutes to go but Fujita had other ideas, paying tribute to the quality of Shingo Hyodo’s inch-perfect cross.
“Hyodo watched my position very well and I just needed to flick in my second goal,” Fujita said.
“Even though we were behind, we played 90 minutes calmly throughout. I’m happy about it,” he added.
Tadanari Lee had given FC Tokyo the lead on 27 minutes before former Japan international midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura equalized with a stunning free kick just past the hour mark.
Yokohama’s win mean they lead the table on 12 points, two ahead of former Asian club champions Urawa Red Diamonds and Cerezo Osaka.
Urawa beat Albirex Niigata 2-0, while Osaka salvaged a 1-1 draw with Vegalta Sendai.
In the day’s other games, defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima overwhelmed Shimizu S-Pulse 4-0 with Japanese international striker Hizato Sato scoring twice, while Omiya Ardija pulled off a 3-1 win over Kashima Antlers.
Nagoya Grampus defeated Shonan Bellmare 2-0, Kashiwa Reysol downed Oita Trinita 3-1.
Kawasaki Frontale drew with Ventforet Kofu 1-1. Jubilo Iwata shared a thrilling 3-3 draw with Sagan Tosu whose striker Yohei Toyoda bagged a hat trick.
Yokohama stays on top with last-gasp win
