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| Urawa regain J-League lead |
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| Urawa are to part ways with their German coach Gert Engels, according to media reports. |
TOKYO: Brazilian midfielder Robson Ponte scored one and started for a get-ahead goal to lead Asian club champions Urawa Red Diamonds to a 3-1 win over Jubilo Iwata on Saturday and regain the J-League lead.
Iwata forward Ryoichi Maeda headed home in the 32nd minute, but the referee ruled it foul play.
Maeda later sent a nice pass for Japanese-born Briton Robert Cullen's goal to take the lead in the 42nd minute but Urawa swiftly equalised.
Japan international striker Naohiro Takahara's shot was saved by Iwata goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, but Ponte fired a sizzler on the rebound to make it even shortly before the break.
In the 57th minute, Ponte sent the ball to Takahara, who produced the last pass for Tadaaki Hirakawa's first goal in two years. Takahara himself added a third in injury time.
"I received a nice ball, I just needed to hit it. I'm glad I was able to score a goal to live up to the expectation of Urawa supporters," said Hirakawa.
"Although we regained the lead in the standings, we have more games to go. We will try to do our best to win all of the remaining games. We will fight match by match."
Urawa now have 12 wins, four draws and six defeats for 40 points, one point ahead of Nagoya Grampus and two points above defending champions Kashima Antlers.
Nagoya defeated Kashima 2-1 with Norwegian striker Frode Johnsen scoring the decider in the 60th minute.
In other games, Japan international Yoshito Okubo struck home an equaliser in injury time as Vissel Kobe drew with Gamba Osaka 1-1, while Atsushi Yanagisawa scored Kyoto Sanga's sole goal to beat Albirex Niigata 1-0.
Shimizu S-Pulse defeated Kashiwa Reysol 3-2, and Tokyo Verdy won a derby match against FC Tokyo 2-1.
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