Kobe beats Kashima 3-2 to take lead in J-League

Associated Press

KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — Marquinhos and Keijiro Ogawa scored second-half goals as Vissel Kobe beat Kashima Antlers 3-2 to move into first place in the J-League on Saturday.

Davi gave Kashima a 2-1 lead early in the second half but Marquinhos equalized in the 66th minute and Ogawa sealed the win just two minutes later with his first goal of the season.

Kobe improved to 17 points, one ahead of Sanfrecce Hiroshima which faces Albirex Niigata on Sunday.

In other matches, Milivoje Novakovic scored two goals to lead Shimizu S-Pulse to a 4-0 win over Tokushima Vortis which has yet to win in eight matches. Sagan Tosu beat Vegalta Sendai 3-0 while Yokohama F Marinos and Kashiwa Reysol finished in a 0-0 draw.

Elsewhere, Urawa Reds moved into third place after a 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale. Tomoya Ugajin scored the lone goal for Reds.

FC Tokyo beat Cerezo Osaka 2-0 while Gamba Osaka edged Omiya Ardija 2-1. Ventforet Kofu defeated Nagoya Grampus 2-0.