Urawa Reds came from a goal down to defeat Yokohama FC 2-1 on Sunday, Samuel Gustafson scoring both goals as Maciej Skorza’s side climbed to third in the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE table ahead of their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Lukian gave visitors Yokohama FC the lead two minutes before half-time at Saitama Stadium 2002, cutting inside and sweeping an effort into the far corner from the edge of the D, but Gustafson pulled Urawa level eight minutes after the restart as he slid in to convert with his left foot after Hirokazu Ishihara’s low cross into the area.
The Swedish midfielder then completed Urawa’s comeback in the 83rd minute, finding himself in the right place at the right time to fire in from the edge of the six-yard box after Thiago Santana’s shot had bounced back off the post.
There were goals galore in Osaka, meanwhile, as Cerezo Osaka also came from behind to beat Shimizu S-Pulse 4-2.
Shimizu’s Reon Yamahara got the scoring started with a bullet of a free-kick in just the fourth minute, but Niko Takahashi restored parity nine minutes later with a near-post header from a Lucas Fernandes corner.
An almost identical goal saw C-Osaka move ahead in the 18th minute - this time Motohiko Nakajima headed in a Lucas Fernandes corner from the left - before Rafael Ratao made it 3-1 nine minutes into the second half with a terrific solo effort, slamming home after juggling the ball inside the area to make space for the shot.
Lucas Fernandes then went from provider to scorer in the 70th minute, receiving the ball from Sota Kitano on the edge of the area and bending a delicious effort beyond the despairing dive of Yuya Oki, before Riku Gunji headed in Hikaru Nakahara’s in-swinging cross from the right to provide Shimizu with a late consolation with a minute to go.
The day’s other game finished all square, as Shonan Bellmare and Fagiano Okayama drew 1-1 at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka.
Ryunosuke Sato celebrated his first call up to the Japan national team in style by opening the scoring for Okayama, collecting a pass from Ryo Tabei out wide before cutting inside and converting with his left foot in the 37th minute.
Luiz Phellype made sure of a point for Shonan in the 65th minute though, receiving possession from Taiga Hata with his back to goal and then spinning his man sharply to rifle in from outside the area.
Urawa Reds vs. Yokohama FC - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 19
Cerezo Osaka vs. Shimizu S-Pulse - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 19
Shonan Bellmare vs. Fagiano Okayama - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 19
