SAITAMA -- Brazilian striker Emerson scored a hat trick in the Urawa Reds' 4-1 triumph over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Sunday at Komaba Stadium, giving the Division One club its first win of the season.
Hiroshima went ahead in the sixth minute through Tatsuhiko Kubo. But Urawa leveled the game in the 18th minute when Emerson latched on to a fine through ball from Tuto for the equalizer. The Brazilian duo combined well throughout the match with their speed troubling the Hiroshima defenders.
In the 33rd minute, Emerson received a ball from defender Hideki Uchidate, cut into the box, beat his marker Michel Pensee Bilong and returned a pass to the unguarded Tuto who tapped the ball home. Emerson gave his team a 3-1 lead just before halftime, finding the net with a delicate chip.