Yoichiro Kakitani celebrated his Japan call-up in style by scoring a first-half brace and creating a third in Cerezo Osaka's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Omiya Ardija on Saturday.
In one of the hottest parts of the country on the hottest day of the year, Kakitani was a man on fire as he helped revive Cerezo's J. League title hopes while denting those of fourth-place Omiya, which fell six points off the pace after suffering its fifth successive defeat.
Midway through the second half, Simplicio scored the third for fifth-place Cerezo, who remained nine points behind leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 42 points from 20 games.