Tamada fires Nagoya to top of J-League table

Japan striker Keiji Tamada scored twice as Nagoya Grampus made it three straight wins with a 3-2 victory over Shimizu Pulse to move to the top of the J.League table.

Shinji Okazaki opened the scoring for the visitors after just six minutes at the Nagoya Mizuho Athletics Stadium, but Tamada struck midway thorough the first half to pull Nagoya Grampus level.

Takuro Yajima restored Shimizu Pulse's lead just before the break, but after Brazilian midfielder Magnum equalised for the home side four minutes after the restart, Tamada netted the winner eight minutes before the hour mark.

Defending champions Kashima Antlers moved up to second place after recording a 2-1 comeback win over Vissel Kobe, while Urawa Reds slipped to third after being held to a 1-1 draw by Tokyo Verdy.

Kashima forward Shinzo Koroki's near-post header from Mitsuo Ogasawara's corner just before the break was cleared of the line by a combination of midfielder Keisuke Kuriyara and goalkeeper Kenta Tokush.

The save proved crucial as the home side raced up the pitch and grabbed the lead a minute before the break as Japan forward Yoshito Okubo turned Kurihara's pass past advancing goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata.

But substitute Danilo inspired a Kashima revival after the interval, picking up the ball on the left, cutting inside and feeding compatriot Marquinhos to slot home from inside the area.

A minute later, the visitors completed the turnaround as Koroki headed home Takeshi's cross.

Koroki came close to extending the lead with 18 minutes remaining, while Ogasawara hit a post soon after.

After both failed to add to the lead, Kobe almost snatched a point with 10 minutes left, but Okubo failed to find the target from Hideo Tanaka's cross.

'Our team play has helped us win the game,' said Kashima manager Oswaldo Oliveira. 'This win is important to us.

'This season the top teams are fighting hard to take the lead and I think we will see that trend for a few more weeks. In that situation, three points speak a lot, and we should prepare well for our next game too.'

At the Tokyo National Stadium, Yuki Abe's stoppage-time goal earned Urawa Reds a point against Tokyo Verdy.

Verdy forward Kazunori Iio hit a post early on before Reds defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka's header struck the crossbar.

Diego looked to have earned the home side three points five minutes after the break but Abe snatched a share of the spoils to ensure the Reds are one point behind Nagoya Grampus with a game in hand.

Also on Wednesday, Gamba Osaka were held to a 3-3 draw by 10-man Consadole Sapporo, while Jubilo Iwata shared a goalless draw with JEF United Chiba.