Matsumoto Yamaga won 2-0 at Thespa Kusatsu Gunma on Sunday night in the final match of the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League’s 19th round.

The visitors found their way onto the scoreboard via Hiroyuki Takasaki’s goal in the 21st minute, doubling their lead at the hour mark thanks to Masaki Miyasaka’s effort.

The result, Yamaga’s first win in three matches, was enough to lift them to 12th place in the standings, while Thespa remain mired in the relegation zone with 13 points and a -22 goal difference.

Teams in the second flight will have a busy week as they join many of their J1 compatriots in the second round of the Emperor’s Cup on Wednesday, June 21. 

The 20th round of the J2 will take place on Sunday, June 25.