Sendai Stay Top with Comeback Win; Niigata Move Up to Second [Summary: MEIJI YASUDA J2 Matchweek 12]

All 10 Matchweek 12 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE were played on 21 October, with Sendai retaining top spot after beating Imabari.
 
Sendai came from behind to beat Imabari 3-1 at home. After conceding in the opening minute, they drew level through Motohiko Nakajima in the 48th minute before Tsubasa Umeki put them ahead four minutes later. Ko Miyazaki added a third in the 74th minute to seal the win.
 
Niigata moved up to second with a 2-1 home win over Tosu. Matheus Moraes opened the scoring in the 24th minute, and Kanji Kuwayama doubled the lead in the 80th. Although Tosu pulled a goal back, Niigata held on to secure all three points.
 
Toyama climbed to third with an impressive 3-0 away win over Omiya. Kiyoshiro Tsuboi broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, and Sho Fuseya doubled the lead just a minute later. Yuto Kunitake added a third shortly before the final whistle to take Toyama to 22 points, while Omiya suffered their second consecutive defeat.
 
Yokohama FC claimed a comfortable 3-0 away win over Kofu, with Kyo Hosoi among the goalscorers. Sapporo also secured an away victory, beating Yamagata 2-0 through goals from Shuma Kido and Takuma Arano.
 
Tochigi City drew 2-2 at home to Fujieda after surrendering a late lead. Masahide Hiraoka equalised in the 74th minute before Atsushi Yoshida put Tochigi City ahead in the 82nd, but Fujieda struck late to salvage a point. Shonan also came from behind to draw 1-1 with Iwaki, with Taiyo Nishino scoring the equaliser in the 80th minute after his side had fallen behind in the 62nd.
 
Iwata and Oita played out a goalless draw, with neither side able to find a breakthrough. Hachinohe edged Tokushima 1-0 thanks to an 83rd-minute winner from William Owie.
 
Miyazaki secured a dramatic 2-1 home win over Akita. Ken Tshizanga Matsumoto opened the scoring in the 64th minute, and although Akita equalised, Koji Okumura struck the winner three minutes into stoppage time to give Miyazaki all three points.

MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE Standings

■Match Data
Yamagata vs. Sapporo
Sendai vs. Imabari
Tochigi City vs. Fujieda
Omiya vs. Toyama
Shonan vs. Iwaki
Kofu vs. Yokohama FC
Niigata vs. Tosu
Iwata vs. Oita
Tokushima vs. Hachinohe
Miyazaki vs. Akita

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