Niigata Come from Behind as Matheus Moraes Strikes Twice; Unbeaten Toyama Move Provisionally Second [Summary: MEIJI YASUDA J2 Matchweek 9]

Five Matchweek 9 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE were played on 3 October, with Niigata moving provisionally top after beating Tokushima.

Niigata fell behind at home to Tokushima in the third minute, but Matheus Moraes equalised in the 19th before striking again six minutes later to complete a 2-1 comeback victory.

Toyama also came away with a 2-1 win at Kofu. Tsubasa Yoshihira opened the scoring in the 51st minute, and although Kofu equalised, Yuto Kunitake restored Toyama's lead in the 68th minute. The victory extended Toyama's unbeaten run to five matches and lifted them provisionally to second, while Kofu dropped to 19th after a fourth straight defeat.

Fujieda took the lead at home to Shonan through Hayato Manabe in the 54th minute, but Yuta Fukazawa struck a dramatic equaliser in the 90+12th minute to earn Shonan a 1-1 draw.

Imabari came from behind to beat Tochigi City 2-1 through goals from Kenta Kikuchi and Edigar Junio, moving off the bottom of the table. Oita also won 2-1, with Daigo Furukawa scoring the decisive goal in the 90+2nd minute to defeat Yamagata.

MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE Standings

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