There was more drama in REGIONAL ROUND Match Week 3 of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE season on Sunday, as Sanfrecce Hiroshima responded to a late concession with an even later winner, Mito Hollyhock claimed their first top flight win after a penalty shoot-out, and Kyoto Sanga F.C. and Gamba Osaka both celebrated victories.
After an evenly contested first half at YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM, Ryo Germain gave Hiroshima the lead 10 minutes into the second period against Cerezo Osaka when he fired in an unstoppable drive from outside the area.
Solomon Sakuragawa thought he had rescued a point for C-Osaka deep into injury time, finding the net with a spectacular overhead kick in the fifth minute of time added on, only for Shunki Higashi to slot home a loose ball two minutes later to ensure the visitors continued their strong start to the campaign.
Meanwhile, the clash between two of last year’s promoted sides ended all square after 90 minutes at K's Denki Stadium Mito, as Mito and JEF United Chiba drew 1-1.
Yoshiki Torikai started the scoring for the hosts in the 23rd minute, beating the offside trap before tucking in from a tight angle, but Takumi Tsukui levelled things up just eight minutes later when a rebound fell kindly for him inside the penalty area.
Neither side could find the net again in the second half, meaning the contest required a penalty shoot-out to determine the victor.
Chiba’s Issei Takahashi missed his side’s first attempt from 12 yards, and with every other player converting their kicks the two points were Mito’s after Kenta Itakura swept in their last penalty to make it 5-3.
Elsewhere, goals in each half from Kyoto’s Brazilian forwards Rafael Elias and Marco Tulio were enough to seal a 2-0 win against Avispa Fukuoka.
Rafael Elias opened the scoring after being gifted possession by Fukuoka goalkeeper Yuma Obata with a misplaced pass in the 32nd minute, before Marco Tulio wrapped up the points with a controlled volley from the edge of the area with 13 minutes remaining.
In the day’s other game, G-Osaka came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory away to Fagiano Okayama.
Lucao put hosts Okayama ahead with a penalty in the 14th minute, but Deniz Hummet drew G-Osaka level 18 minutes later, lashing in a crisp strike after a ball in behind from Rin Mito.
Harumi Minamino then completed G-Osaka’s comeback with 14 minutes remaining, tucking in a left-footed shot off the far post.
Cerezo Osaka vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Game Highlights | MW3
Mito Hollyhock vs JEF United Chiba - Game Highlights | MW3
Kyoto Sanga F.C. vs Avispa Fukuoka - Game Highlights | MW3
Fagiano Okayama vs Gamba Osaka - Game Highlights | MW3
