Kosuke Taketomi starred in Kashiwa Reysol's 2-0 win over Matsumoto Yamaga on Thursday that saw them rise top of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League second stage standings.

The first stage strugglers appear to have turned their season around and secured their third win on the trot during the matchday 8 clash with Yamaga.

Tatsuma Yoshida's men, unbeaten in August, seized the initiative through Taketomi's superb long-range strike in the 34th minute, before Daisuke Suzuki made the result safe in the second half.

Victory could have come at a cost for the resurgent outfit however, as it is uncertain whether Naoki Wako will be fit for the AFC Champions League quarter-final tie with Guangzhou Evergrande.

The 25-year-old had to be stretchered off on the half hour mark with concussion after suffering a nasty collision, and his condition will now need to be monitored ahead of Tuesday's ACL tie.