Nagoya Grampus have moved to the top of the J2 League table after the seventh round of the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League.

Goals by Keiji Tamada and Ryuji Sugimoto were enough to overcome Hironori Ishi’s equaliser in the team’s 2-1 win over Kamatamare Sanuki in the friendly confines of Paloma Mizuho Stadium.

Previous leaders Tokyo Verdy fell to third place following a 3-2 defeat to Shonan Bellmare
 on Sunday. 

Koki Anzai’s 16th-minute effort put the J.League co-founders into the lead, but Bellmare fought back with a brace from Shunsuke Kikuchi and an additional goal by Dinei that went unanswered for most of the second half. 

Kazuki Anzai brought the hosts to within one, but their winning streak ended at five matches.

Two second-half goals by Ibba after the hour mark put Yokohama FC over Kyoto Sanga, raising them to fourth place with a 2-0 victory.

Last year’s promotion contenders Matsumoto Yamaga moved back into the top five with a 3-0 win over V-Varen Nagasaki, with Hiroyuki Takasaki, Masaki Miyasaka and Paulinho making their way onto the scoreboard.