Osaka keep pace with Urawa in J-League
Monday, 22 October 2007
TOKYO, Oct 21 (AFP): Gamba Osaka trounced Ventforet Kofu 5-0 Sunday to reduce defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds' lead at the top to six points in the J-League with five games to go.
Takahiro Futagawa produced a pin-point pass for Shinichi Terada to open the scoring in the fourth minute.
Six minutes later Futagawa again sent a floating ball to Brazilian striker Magno Alves, who shook off a defender to strike home a right-footer for a 2-0 lead.
Futagawa went from provider to scorer in the 38th minute when he exchanged passes with Terada before firing home.
Terada and Masafumi Maeda wrapped up a comfortable victory with goals in the 73rd and 84th minutes.
"I think we controlled the game pretty well. Hopefully, we can play a game like this in the remaining five games and continue to put pressure on Urawa," said Osaka coach Akira Nishino.
In the only other game on Sunday, Brazilian Lucas netted a 57th-minute goal from close range to give FC Tokyo a 1-0 win over Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Urawa beat JEF United Chiba 4-2 on Saturday to keep a safe distance between themselves and Osaka.
Also on Saturday, third-placed Kashima Antlers beat Iwata 3-1, Shimizu S-Pulse downed Yokohama Marinos 2-0, Niigata lost to Kawasaki Frontale 4-3 and Kashiwa lost 2-1 to Oita Trinita.
Yokohama FC became the first team to be relegated this season after they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Vissel Kobe.
Takahiro Futagawa produced a pin-point pass for Shinichi Terada to open the scoring in the fourth minute.
Six minutes later Futagawa again sent a floating ball to Brazilian striker Magno Alves, who shook off a defender to strike home a right-footer for a 2-0 lead.
Futagawa went from provider to scorer in the 38th minute when he exchanged passes with Terada before firing home.
Terada and Masafumi Maeda wrapped up a comfortable victory with goals in the 73rd and 84th minutes.
"I think we controlled the game pretty well. Hopefully, we can play a game like this in the remaining five games and continue to put pressure on Urawa," said Osaka coach Akira Nishino.
In the only other game on Sunday, Brazilian Lucas netted a 57th-minute goal from close range to give FC Tokyo a 1-0 win over Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Urawa beat JEF United Chiba 4-2 on Saturday to keep a safe distance between themselves and Osaka.
Also on Saturday, third-placed Kashima Antlers beat Iwata 3-1, Shimizu S-Pulse downed Yokohama Marinos 2-0, Niigata lost to Kawasaki Frontale 4-3 and Kashiwa lost 2-1 to Oita Trinita.
Yokohama FC became the first team to be relegated this season after they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Vissel Kobe.