Yokohama F Marinos stayed within striking distance of top spot in the J-League first division Sunday after Anderson Lopes' brace gave the defending champions a 2-0 win over Avispa Fukuoka.
The Brazilian forward netted in the eighth and 20th minutes of a one-sided contest at Yokohama's Nissan Stadium to keep manager Kevin Muscat's men three points back from current J1 leaders Vissel Kobe.
Lopes headed Marinos into the lead from directly in front, finishing a surging attack that he had set in motion with a back-heel pass inside his own half.
He netted his second with a cool finish under pressure from the right of the area, threading a shot across diving Fukuoka keeper Masaaki Murakami and inside the opposite upright.
The hosts, who took nine shots on target compared to the visitors' one, brought former Japan attacker Ryo Miyaichi off the bench late in the game for his first J1 action since season-ending knee surgery last year.
"I thought our football, particularly in the first half, was very strong," Muscat said. "I'm always trying to focus on how we can score more, and on that note, it was wonderful to see Miya back in the team."
In Sunday's other J1 action, last-place Gamba Osaka defeated Albirex Niigata 3-1, ending their losing streak at five. Cerezo Osaka beat Yokohama FC 2-0, while Kawasaki Frontale overcame Kashiwa Reysol by the same margin.
