Hiroshima: J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima will head into next Tuesday’s crucial AFC Champions League tie at Buriram United on a high after cruising to a 3-0 win over Vegalta Sendai on Friday evening.
Following a goalless first half at the Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium, Peter Utaka (back row, second from right) broke the deadlock for the hosts when he converted from the penalty spot in the 51st minute.
Just four minutes later, Utaka struck again with his fourth goal in three matches since joining on loan from Shimizu S-Pulse to put his side firmly in control of proceedings, before Yusuke Chajima added a third two minutes after the hour mark to seal the victory.
Following a slow start to 2016, Sanfrecce have now won their last three games in all competition and will head to the Buriram Stadium next Tuesday brimming with confidence.
A win and two defeats in the Champions League so far means the Japanese side are currently third in Group F although three points will put them firmly back in contention for the knockout round, against a side they beat 3-0 back in March courtesy of a brace from Takuma Asano and a Kohei Shimizu strike.
Over at the Saitama Stadium 2002, Urawa Red Diamonds also warmed up for continental action next week with a win, although they were made to work before beating ten-man Ventforet Kofu 2-1.
Ventforet had a numerical deficit from just after the half-hour mark when captain Hideomi Yamamoto was sent off for a second bookable offence.
But it took the hosts until the 67th minute to open the scoring following a patient passing move; Shinzo Koroki running onto Lee Tadanari’s neat pass before finishing into the bottom corner.
Nine minutes from time, it looked as though they had wrapped up the three points after Ryota Moriwaki latched onto a clearance on the edge of the box, and unleashed a stunning dipping half-volley that went in after clipping the underside of the bar and had Kohei Kawata beaten all ends up.
Nonetheless, the visitors pulled one back in injury-time when Sho Inagaki reacted quickest to poke home on the rebound, after opposition keeper Shusaku Nishikawa could only parry Takamitsu Yoshino’s initial header.
Still, the Red Diamonds were able to hold out for the win to move top of the J.League and extend their unbeaten run to four games.
Next up for them is an enticing Champions League Group H clash with Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande at home, with both sides currently out of the top two and desperately needing a victory on Tuesday.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com