Urawa Reds' fans (AFP)

TOKYO: A hat-trick by Brazilian-born Japan international Marcus Tulio Tanaka helped Asian club champions Urawa Red Diamonds overcome Tokyo Verdy 3-2 and regain the lead in the J-League standings on Thursday.

Tulio nodded home in the 23rd minute on a pass from fellow Japan international Yuki Abe to cancel Brazilian Hulk's goal and then duly netted on a penalty in the 36th minute to get ahead 2-1.

Verdy once levelled the score thanks to a goal by another Brazilian Diego in the 43rd minute, but again Abe set up for Tulio's third goal, an eight-metre header, in the 58th minute.

Urawa, who will take on Kuwait's Al Qadsia in the first leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-finals on September 17, now have 10 wins, two draws and five defeats for 32 points after 17 games and are ahead of defending champions Kashima Antlers, who went down to Kyoto Sanga 2-1 on Wednesday.

They were followed by Kashiwa Reysol, Nagoya Grampus and Gamba Osaka on 29 points, Kawasaki Frontale and Albirex Niigata on 26 points.

Nagoya failed to tie with Urawa as they were beaten by Jubilo Iwata 2-1 with Takayuki Chano and Sho Naruoka scoring in the 47th and 49th minutes.