Shimizu S-Pulse fended off a persistent attack by visiting Vegalta Sendai for a 1-1 draw in the J. League first division on Sunday.
Shimizu midfielder Shota Kaneko opened the scoring in the ninth minute, soaring a screamer over the head of Vegalta goalkeeper Kentaro Seki from well outside the box. Despite a massive leap, Seki couldn't lay a hand on the ball as it pounded into the top left corner.
"It was my first shot and I wanted to give it all I had," Kaneko said of his second goal of the season after contributing to Shimizu's 4-2 win over Vissel Kobe on March 3.