Hiroshima beat Sendai, take J-League lead

Takahagi Yojiro scored a decider to lift Sanfrecce Hiroshima on top of the table by beating Vegalta Sendai 2-1 in the J-League football on Saturday. Kazuyuki Morisaki opened the scoring for Hiroshima in the 48th minute, while Shingo Akamine struck home an equaliser in the 70th, but Takahagi flicked in a rebound in front of the goal mouth in the 78th to clinch the victory. Hiroshima took a two-point lead in the J-League standings on 47, ahead of Sendai and Urawa Red Diamonds on 45 points, and Jubilo Iwata and Nagoya Grampus both on 41. Urawa defeated Yokohama Marinos 2-1 thanks to Tomoaki Makino’s decider in the 64th minute, while Iwata defeated Vissel Kobe 2-1. Nagoya beat Cerezo Osaka 2-0 with Australian international striker Joshua Kennedy scoring.