SOCCER / J. League

Reds leave it late to sneak past Sendai

By Kumi Kinohara

Sep 10, 2002

SAITAMA -- Substitute forward Yuichiro Nagai struck the winning goal in the 113th minute, giving the Urawa Reds a 1-0 extra-time win over Vegalta Sendai on Sunday afternoon at Saitama Stadium 2002.

The Reds attacked hard and created plenty of chances, but they were unable to find the target, and found Vegalta 'keeper Kiyomitsu Kobari in inspired form.

But seven minutes into the second half of extra time, Emerson received a pass from young forward Tatsuya Tanaka and cut into the box on the left. With Nagai coming in to the near post, the 21-year-old Brazilian faked his marker before passing the ball to Nagai, who slotted home the winner from close range.

It was Nagai's first goal this season in his eighth appearance, all of which have came off the bench.

With the win, Urawa remains unbeaten in the second stage, while Vegalta, which has lost both its second-stage games, suffered its fifth straight loss.

Urawa manager Hans Ooft admitted that it was "difficult to break down the wall" of Sendai. The Dutch manager praised his players for "keeping a cool head and their tactical discipline to the end."

"I'm happy with two points, but it could have been three as we had enough chances to score a goal," Ooft added.

But the Reds may be without Emerson for a while after the Brazilian forward was taken to the hospital after the game with a suspected broken arm. Emerson said he hurt his right arm halfway through the second half after landing awkwardly as he went for the ball with Sendai defender Ricardo.

Reds' Brazilian forward Tuto and former Australia defender Ned Zelic have already been sidelined with hamstring injuries.

Verdy moves to top

In Kobe, Brazilian striker Edmundo scored twice in the second half to help Tokyo Verdy, which had crushed Kyoto Purple Sanga 5-0 in its second-stage opener last weekend, move on top of the early standings on goal difference.

Edmundo broke the deadlock from the penalty spot eight minutes after the restart and doubled the lead for the visitors in the 76th minute when he slotted home a Hayuma Tanaka pass from the right past Kobe 'keeper Makoto Kakegawa.

The defeat sent Kobe in the relegation zone with just 12 points from both stages, second from last in the 16-team top flight from which two teams go down. Bottom club Consadole Sapporo have seven.

Along with Verdy, first-stage winners Jubilo Iwata and FC Tokyo have a maximum six points in the second stage after Saturday's victories.