REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy (Kyodo) Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura struck his first goal of the season to give Reggina a 1-0 home win over Palermo in the Italian first division on Thursday.
Nakamura tapped in the decisive goal after seven minutes following a terrible mixup between Palermo defender Cristian Zaccardo and goalkeeper Matteo Guardalben to give the home side all three points.
Meanwhile, Atsushi Yanagisawa made a second-half substitute appearance for Messina but could do little to stop his side going down 2-1 away to Cagliari.
Reggina is 10th in the Serie A table on 22 points, with Messina in 15th another four points behind.