Usami continues hot streak as Gamba go top in Japan

TOKYO (Reuters) - Takashi Usami completed a memorable week by scoring twice as J-League holders Gamba Osaka beat Nagoya Grampus Eight 3-1 on a wet Friday night to jump to the top of the table.





The 22-year-old striker made his international debut against Tunisia last Friday, opened his account with a goal in the 5-1 demolition of Uzbekistan on Tuesday and was again among the scorers on his return to club action.

New Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic was in attendance to see Usami open the scoring with a deflected effort just before halftime and then sweep home the second four minutes after the break following a cut back by Koki Yonekura.

Kensuke Nagai pulled one back on the hour mark but Yasuyuki Konno made the game safe with a low, rifled drive with 10 minutes remaining.

"I was just lucky. I had chances to score more so that is what I will try and do," Usami was quoted as saying by Kyodo News after his fourth of the season.

The three points took Gamba to seven from four games just ahead of Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Urawa Red Diamonds, who play on Saturday, on goal difference.

Sagan Tosu dropped to fourth after losing 3-1 at Kashima Antlers despite taking the lead, with South Korea defender Kim Min-hyeok arguably fortunate to escape punishment after appearing to stamp on the host's Mu Kanazaki.

It was a first win of the campaign for the seven-times champions that moved them out of the bottom two.





(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore, editing by Pritha Sarkar)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world