Leaders Machida Zelvia came from behind to defeat Yokohama F Marinos 3-1 away Saturday, the J-League first-division debutants moving three points clear at the top of the table.
Former Arsenal man Ryo Miyaichi scored the opener for the Asian Champions League runners-up Marinos, but Machida responded emphatically with Gen Shoji, Shota Fujio and Hokuto Shimoda all finding the net in front of 37,396 at Nissan Stadium to move up to 38 points. Their closest rivals, Kashima Antlers, play on Sunday.
High-octane Machida had the better of the opening exchanges with star asset Yu Hirakawa -- back after playing 45 minutes in Japan U-23's away win Tuesday to the United States -- dancing past his marker down the left before his ninth-minute shot hit the near post.
Marinos took their first chance in the 14th minute as Yan Matheus' chip into the box was kept in possession by Kota Watanabe. The midfielder found himself on the floor but managed to poke the ball toward left-winger Miyaichi, who had time and space to curl his shot superbly into the far corner.
Hirakawa was a constant menace at the opposite end. Brazilian forward Erik was unable to take a 32nd-minute chance off the attacker, but Hirakawa's miss-hit shot fell nicely for Machida captain Shoji, the defender slotting in the leveler two minutes from the break.
The former Japan and Toulouse man distributed from the back with long diagonal balls, one creating a scoring opportunity a minute after the break that was denied by Marinos keeper William Popp.
Hirakawa struck the post for the second time five minutes later off a right-wing cross and again quickly went close with a low shot, also denied by Popp. The visitors' pressure paid off, however, as a Byron Vazquez ball was prodded home by Fujio, who scored Japan's opening penalty on Tuesday.
Even after Shimoda bent in a free-kick from 20 meters out in the 61st minute, Machida maintained the intensity, while Marinos had a late goal ruled out due to a foul in the buildup.
Marinos remain on 20 points as they look to recover from their grueling run to the ACL final.
