The defending champion Yokohama F. Marinos kept the pressure on leader Jubilo Iwata after a comfortable 2-0 win away to Vissel Kobe on Saturday as J. League first-stage action resumed after a three-week break for national team games.
Nagoya Grampus Eight's Yutaka Akita battles the Urawa Reds'
Tatsuya Tanaka for the ball during first-half action in their J. League first-division match on Saturday at Toyota Stadium. Grampus Eight won 3-0.
South Korea striker Ahn Jung Hwan opened the scoring after 21 minutes with a stunning 25-meter drive and had a hand in the second that was tucked in from close range by midfielder Yoshiharu Ueno.
Kobe 'keeper Fumiya Iwamaru, who had earlier denied Ueno with a smart reaction save, could only parry another stinging shot from Ahn, leaving Ueno with the simple task of tapping into an empty net nine minutes before halftime.