Second-half goals from Anderson Lopes and Asahi Uenaka gave Yokohama F Marinos a 2-0 win over Gamba Osaka on Wednesday as the home side moved up to fourth in the J-League first division.
The Asian Champions League semifinalists won their game in hand to move up to 13 points, three points behind leaders Machida Zelvia, while profligate Gamba lost their second straight to stay on nine points.
Gamba tested Marinos' goal early on through Welton and Takashi Usami, while Marinos midfielder Riku Yamane's 20-meter strike hit the post at the other end before teammate Jun Amano had his low shot denied by Gamba keeper Jun Ichimori in an intense first-half.
Yamane turned provider for the 53rd-minute opener at Nissan Stadium. The 20-year-old created space down the left to send in a low cross for Lopes, who held off his marker before powering home with his left foot for his fifth goal.
Usami and Welton both sent shots just wide before Usami's late free kick was caught by William Popp. Uenaka capitalized on slack Gamba defending deep in stoppage time by driving into the box before sliding his shot into the far right corner.
"It was a very difficult match against very tough opponents, but we're strong at home," Lopes said. "The manager (Harry Kewell) is telling me my condition is on the up after each game and I hope to keep contributing."
