Shintaro Nago hit a brace as Kashima Antlers eased to a 3-0 win at Consadole Sapporo on Saturday to move level on points at the top of the J-League first division.
Kashima, undefeated over seven games with six wins and a draw, sit on 32 points and are only behind J1 debutants Machida Zelvia on goal difference ahead of the leaders' game on Sunday. Struggling Sapporo, meanwhile, stay second from bottom on 11 points.
Against the run of play, the first big chance fell to the hosts in the 33rd minute at Sapporo Dome. Supachok Sarachat got on the end of goalkeeper Takanori Sugeno's long ball. The Thailand midfielder's lob from 35 meters out caught Kashima keeper Tomoki Hayakawa by surprise, but sailed just wide.
Kashima made their chance count at the other end in the 40th minute after forward Shu Morooka's chipped pass found Nago in the box. His initial shot was saved by Sugeno but Nago volleyed the rebound high into the net.
A Sapporo mistake proved costly 10 minutes after the break. Under pressure, Seiya Baba's headed back pass sold Sugeno short. The veteran's desperate sliding clearance went low and straight at Nago, who curled a shot from 40 meters out to double the lead.
"I'm genuinely happy, but the team winning is first and foremost," Nago said. "We linked up well offensively for the first...and again for the second, this time defensively."
Aleksandar Cavric came on right after the second goal and put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when the Slovakian forward diverted Yuta Higuchi's corner at the near post and squeezed the ball in off the bar.
Elsewhere, Jubilo Iwata came from 2-0 down to beat Shonan Bellmare 3-2 at home.
