KOBE, Nov 06 (Japan Today) - Yokohama F Marinos sealed the J-League first-division championship on a hectic final day of the season Saturday, beating Vissel Kobe 3-1 as title rivals and two-time defending holders Kawasaki Frontale overcame FC Tokyo 3-2 despite being reduced to 10 men.
Starting the day two points ahead of prefectural rivals Frontale in the standings and with a double-digit lead in goal difference, Marinos were all but guaranteed their fifth title if they could muster a draw on the road at Noevir Stadium.
But Kevin Muscat's side stayed true to form and aggressively pushed for all three points, with Takuma Nishimura poaching the decisive goal after Kobe keeper Yuya Tsuboi spilled a free kick early in the second half.
A miscued clearance gave Elber the opportunity to nod home the opener for Marinos in the 26th minute before Yoshinori Muto headed an equalizer in first-half injury time. Marinos talisman Teruhito Nakagawa tapped in off Kota Mizunuma's cross to complete the scoring in the 73rd minute.
The result secured Marinos' first title since 2019, when another Australian manager, Ange Postecoglou, was at the helm, while ending Frontale's bid for their fifth J1 crown in six seasons. ...continue reading
