Diego Oliveira’s brace saw FC Tokyo to a thrilling 3-2 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League win over bottom side Nagoya Grampus on Saturday, moving them second in the table.
The Brazilian opened the scoring from the penalty spot before his compatriot Jo cancelled that out, but his second right after the break following Kensuke Nagai’s strike was enough to seal victory.
It was a result that keeps the capital club six points behind leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who beat V-Varen Nagasaki 2-0 thanks to two goals in the space of seven minutes in the second half.
Sanfrecce’s fortunes are in distinct contrast to those of Kashima Antlers, who have fallen to 15th after being beaten 3-0 at Yokohama F. Marinos.
Keita Endo and Jun Amano goals had the guests chasing the game early, and Kosuke Nakamachi’s final blow ensured their fifth loss of the season.
Gamba Osaka are right below Antlers after earning a rare turn of fortunes beating Sagan Tosu 3-0 on Sunday, but Urawa Reds were stunned 1-0 at home by Shonan Bellmare.
Elsewhere, Shimizu S-Pulse beat Kashiwa Reysol 2-1, while 10-man Consadole Sapporo were held to a 2-2 draw by Vegalta Sendai after Kim Min-tae’s 73rd-minute red card.
Kenyu Sugimoto’s strike was only enough to give Cerezo Osaka a 1-1 draw at Jubilo Iwata, while Yu Kobayashi’s 88th-minute winner keeps Kawasaki Frontale in the running to defend their title with a 2-1 result at Vissel Kobe.