YOKOHAMA — Kawasaki Frontale's inconsistent season took a potentially richly rewarded turn for the better Wednesday evening, Juninho scoring twice in a 2-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in their Nabisco Cup semifinal, first-leg match at Nissan Stadium.

News photoKawasaki Frontale midfielder Yusuke Mori battles Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Yukihiro Yamase for the ball during the first leg of the Nabisco Cup semifinal match on Wednesday at Nissan Stadium. Frontale won 2-1. KYODO PHOTO

The Nabisco Cup may not be as desirable as the J. League title or Emperor's Cup, but with ¥100 million going to the winner there's nothing Mickey Mouse about it in the eyes of club bean counters.