TOKYO: Omiya Ardija extended their J-League record of unbeaten games to 20 on Friday after beating Oita Trinita 2-0 and went three points clear at the top of the table as Yokohama Marinos were held to a draw.
Slovenian striker Milivoje Novakovic collected a clearance and fired a 24-meter shot to put Omiya ahead in the 18th minute, before Tomoki Imai and Zlatan Ljubijankic set up midfielder Takuya Aoki for their second goal.
“Of course, I’m satisfied with the result. Omiya had never taken the lead in the standings in this early season and it is meaningful that we won under pressure,” said coach Zdenko Verdenik.
“We could have scored three more goals. Our attacks will improve further. We shouldn’t be satisfied with the top place. We can keep the lead if we can play better football,” he added.
Omiya now have 23 points from seven wins and two draws, three points above Yokohama, whose Brazilian defender Fabio scored an equalizer in injury time to draw with seven-time champions Kashima Antlers 1-1.
They are followed by Urawa Red Diamonds and Kashima on 16 points, FC Tokyo and Cerezo Osaka on 15 points, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 14 points.
Urawa will play Vegalta Sendai and Hiroshima will take on Kashiwa Reysol on May 29, following their AFC Champions League matches.
Osaka whipped Shonan Bellmare 3-0 while Kazuma Watanabe scored a brace in four minutes to lead FC Tokyo to a 3-2 win over Sagan Tosu.
In other games, Jubilo Iwata dug their own grave, surrendering two penalty goals to go down to Ventforet Kofu 2-1.
Albirex Niigata defeated Shimizu S-Pulse 2-1 and Kawasaki Frontale beat Nagoya Grampus 2-1.
Omiya keeps J-League lead
