Hokuto Shimoda hit the winner as Machida Zelvia edged Nagoya Grampus 1-0 at home on Saturday to move five points clear at the top of the J-League first division.
Japan U-23's Paris Olympics-bound winger Yu Hirakawa, strongly linked with Bristol City in the English second-tier Championship, had an assist in his last game for J1 debutants Machida as he prepares for a move overseas over the summer.
Machida moved up to 46 points after going five games unbeaten, while Nagoya have lost their fourth straight and remain without a win in seven games, staying on 27 points. The visitors failed to build on a promising start and a string of defensive errors cost them dearly on the half-hour mark at Machida Gion Stadium.
A poor clearance from midfielder Keiya Shiihashi barely got the ball out of Grampus' own box and wing-back Tojiro Kubo totally missed his header just seconds later to allow Machida's attack to continue. Hirakawa got the ball down the left and found Shimoda, who skipped past two players before shooting low past Nagoya keeper Mitch Langerak.
Nagoya had an attacking spell but made no use of it before Shimoda seemed to have grabbed his second of the night in the 80th minute, this time with a left-footed effort into the far bottom corner. The goal was ruled out, however, due to substitute forward Oh Se Hun's foul with an aerial challenge in the buildup.
"I'm wishing for Machida to win the title this year, and I'll be doing my best to send good news from my new club," Hirakawa, who had a left-footed effort from distance deflected narrowly wide in the dying minutes, said to the home fans after the game.
Kashima Antlers eased past bottom club Consadole Sapporo 2-0 to move up to 41 points. Gamba Osaka are third on goal difference after cruising past Yokohama F Marinos 4-0.
Cerezo Osaka drew 1-1 at Tokyo Verdy, Shonan Bellmare won 3-2 at Urawa Reds and Jubilo Iwata grabbed a late 2-2 draw against Kawasaki Frontale. Sagan Tosu edged Albirex Niigata 4-3 away from home, while Kashiwa Reysol downed FC Tokyo 3-2.
