Cerezo Osaka remained on top of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League with a 2-0 win at Shimizu S-Pulse.

The marquee matchup was decided well into the second half, with Ricardo Santos scoring in the 69th minute and Kazuya Yamamura capitalising on a defensive error for his first of the season. 

The result means that Cerezo retain their status as the only J2 side without a loss.

At ND Soft Stadium, Koji Suzuki’s goal helped Machida Zelvia past hosts Montedio Yamagata in a 1-0 win. The southwestern Tokyo side are just three points behind Cerezo in second place.

Norwegian striker Ibba opened his J2 account with a brace for Yokohama FC in their 4-0 win at Giravanz Kitakyushu. 

He was joined on the scoreboard by team-mates Naoki Nomura and Tetsuya Okubo in helping Yokohama to their third win in four undefeated matches.