CHIBA -- JEF United Chiba began its defense of the Nabisco Cup with a 2-1 victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Fukuda Denshi Arena on Wednesday.
Urawa Reds forward Washington (left) and FC Tokyo defender
Tatsuya Masushima compete for the ball during their
Nabisco Cup group-stage match.
Yuto Sato grabbed the winner in the Group C encounter with eight minutes to go after Naotake Hanyu had opened the scoring for the Chiba side with a fierce strike on three minutes and Sanfrecce had drawn level just after the break with a neat finish from Koji Morisaki.