ICHIHARA, Chiba Pref. -- South Korea forward Choi Yong Soo struck two goals to give JEF United a 2-0 win over Shimizu S-Pulse and second place in the J. League Division One standings Saturday night.
But Jubilo Iwata looks certain to take the first-stage title. Jubilo maintained its comfortable lead with a 2-1 extra-time win over Avispa Fukuoka after overcoming a one man deficit at home earlier in the day.
With three more matches remaining in the first stage, Jubilo, now on 31 points, can clinch the stage title as early as the next round on July 7 by earning two points when it visits the Yokohama F. Marinos -- no matter what happens to closest rival Shimizu. Shimizu is on 20 points after Saturday's defeat. JEF United moved up to 22 points but only has a mathematical chance of winning the stage.