Hiroshima Go Provisionally Top with Back-to-Back Wins! Tawaratsumida's Solo Strike Sinks Nagoya [Summary: MEIJI YASUDA J1 Matchweek 8]

Eight Matchweek 8 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE were played on 19 September, with Hiroshima moving provisionally top of the table after beating Fukuoka.
 
Hiroshima made their numerical advantage count away to Fukuoka after the hosts were reduced to nine men in the first half. Shunki Higashi finally broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, and his goal was enough to seal a 1-0 victory. The result made it two wins in a row for Hiroshima and lifted them provisionally top on 17 points.
 
FC Tokyo edged Nagoya 1-0 at MUFG Stadium thanks to Kota Tawaratsumida's 56th-minute solo strike. Urawa, meanwhile, beat Tokyo V 3-1, with Matheus Savio scoring twice.
 
Kawasaki Frontale and Kashima played out a thrilling 3-3 draw. Leo Ceara put Kashima ahead in the 44th minute before Marcinho quickly levelled for Kawasaki. Tatsuya Ito then put the hosts in front in the 54th, only for Leo Ceara to strike again in the 67th. Yuta Matsumura restored Kashima's lead in the 83rd minute, but Pedro Romano rescued a point for Kawasaki with a dramatic equaliser in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
 
Shimizu came from behind to beat Chiba 2-1, with Kai Matsuzaki equalising in the 47th minute before Se Hun Oh struck the winner in the 71st. Nagasaki took the lead against Cerezo Osaka through Matheus Jesus in the 34th minute, but the visitors equalised in the 51st as the match ended 1-1.
 
Kyoto ended a three-match winless run with a dramatic 2-1 victory away to Okayama, Alex Souza striking the winner in the second minute of stoppage time. Yokohama FM also claimed all three points, cruising to a 2-0 win over Mito thanks to goals from Jeisson Quinones and Riku Yamane.

MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE Standings

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