In-form Brazilian striker Emerson scored a first-half double to put Urawa Reds on the way to a 5-1 drubbing of Tokyo Verdy in the J. League on Saturday, keeping the newly-crowned Nabisco Cup winner on course for a domestic double.
Sho Naruoka (left) of Jubilo and Vegalta defender
Susumu Watanabe fight for the ball during
Saturday's game at Iwata Stadium. Jubilo won 1-0.
Without a major trophy until its 4-0 win over Kashima Antlers in the Nabisco final on Monday, Urawa dominated from start to finish at Komaba Stadium, deservedly taking all three points to leapfrog Verdy at the top of the second-stage standings.
Victory moved the Reds on to 22 points with three matches of the second stage remaining, two clear of Verdy, Jubilo Iwata and Yokohama F. Marinos.