Sagara Strikes Late as Sendai Stay Top; Sapporo Claim First Win Since Opening Day [Summary: MEIJI YASUDA J2 Matchweek 9]

Five Matchweek 9 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE were played on 4 October, with Sendai staying top after a dramatic win over Iwata.
 
Sendai took an early lead at home through Tsubasa Umeki in the second minute, but Iwata equalised eight minutes later. With the score still level at 1-1 deep into stoppage time, Ryunosuke Sagara struck in the 90+4th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory.
 
Sapporo also claimed a 2-1 home win over Iwaki. Shota Nishino opened the scoring in the 33rd minute before Mizuki Uchida doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Iwaki pulled one back late on, but Sapporo held on to secure their first victory since the opening match.
 
Miyazaki and Omiya played out a 1-1 draw. Koji Okumura gave the hosts the lead just before half-time with his fourth goal in as many matches, but Kaua Diniz equalised for Omiya in the 82nd minute.
 
Yokohama FC ran out 2-0 winners away to Hachinohe through goals from Kanta Chiba and Hinata Ogura, while Takato Nonomura's 63rd-minute strike gave Akita a 1-0 win over Tosu.

MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE Standings

■Match Data
Sapporo vs. Iwaki
Hachinohe vs. Yokohama FC
Akita vs. Tosu
Sendai vs. Iwata
Miyazaki vs. Omiya

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