Urawa Reds’ impressive recent resurgence continued apace in REGIONAL ROUND Match Week 16 of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE on Saturday, as they picked up a comprehensive 4-1 win away to Mito Hollyhock.
The victory was Urawa’s fourth in a row, and lifted them up to fourth place in the East table, albeit having played at least one game more than the teams around them.
Kaito Yasui got the scoring started when he tucked in a rebound in the 24th minute at K's denki Stadium Mito, with Hiiro Komori doubling the visitors’ lead when he slotted in with 20 minutes remaining.
Substitute Isaac Kiese Thelin then made a sensational impact off the bench, coming on for Komori in the 76th minute and prodding home just one minute later, before guiding another shot into the back of the net in the 79th minute to make it 4-0.
Hayata Yamamoto registered a late consolation for 10-man Mito - for whom Kirato Sasaki received a straight red card four minutes into the second half - rifling in a terrific strike in the 84th minute.
In the day’s other game, Shinji Kagawa scored an injury-time penalty to secure Cerezo Osaka a thrilling 3-2 win over V-Varen Nagasaki.
Ryogo Yamasaki put Nagasaki ahead from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, but hosts C-Osaka pulled level just three minutes later when Thiago Andrade lashed confidently past Nagasaki goalkeeper Go Hatano.
C-Osaka then moved in front when Shunta Tanaka headed in from a corner in the 63rd minute, only for Matheus Jesus to restore parity again nine minutes later, making a lung-busting run forward on a lightning counter and tucking in from close range after the ball returned to him after his initial attempt had hit the post.
Kagawa then made himself the hero for C-Osaka though, sparking jubilant scenes at YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM when he made no mistake from 12 yards in the fourth minute of time added on.
The three points carried C-Osaka up into fourth place in the West - although like Urawa they have played more games than some of their rivals - while Nagasaki remain bottom.
Mito Hollyhock vs Urawa Reds - Game Highlights | 2026 J1 LEAGUE | MW16
Cerezo Osaka vs V-Varen Nagasaki - Game Highlights | 2026 J1 LEAGUE | MW16
