Ryo Nagai’s brace gave Nagoya Grampus a bright start in their quest for a swift return to the J1 as the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League opened across Japan on Sunday.

The 25-year-old impressed in his club debut at the sold-out Paloma Mizuho Stadium, netting in the 41st and 84th minutes in the J.League co-founder’s 2-0 win over Fagiano Okayama.

At a similarly packed Mitsuzawa Stadium, Yokohama FC striker Kazuyoshi Miura celebrated his 50th birthday with a starting appearance as Naoki Nomura’s goal gave the hosts a 1-0 win over Matsumoto Yamaga.

Avispa Fukuoka fell 2-1 to last year’s J3 League champions Oita Trinita after Yoshinori Suzuki scored the dramatic game-winner in stoppage time.

At Nishikyogoku Stadium, a late effort from Belgian striker Kevin Ortis was not enough to save Kyoto Sanga from a 2-1 loss to Montedio Yamagata. 

The match’s first half saw eight minutes of added time tacked on after a stoppage in play caused by a ruptured irrigation pipe near the Montedio goal.

The day ended with V-Varen Nagasaki on top of the table with goals from Yuzuru Shimada, Juanma, Daichi Inui and Takashi Sawada in a 4-0 romp over Thespa Kusatsu Gunma.

[Full Results for MEIJI YASUDA J2 League Round 2]

Avispa Fukuoka 1-2 Oita Trinita
V-Varen Nagasaki 4-0 Thespa Kusatsu Gunma
Roasso Kumamoto 2-1 Kamatamare Sanuki
Mito Hollyhock 0-1 Shonan Bellmare
Machida Zelvia 0-1 JEF United Chiba
Yokohama FC 1-0 Matsumoto Yamaga
Nagoya Grampus 2-0 Fagiano Okayama
FC Gifu 2-2 Renofa Yamaguchi
Kyoto Sanga 1-2 Montedio Yamagata
Tokushima Vortis 1-0 Tokyo Verdy
Ehime FC 1-0 Zweigen Kanazawa