Tokyo Verdy survived a late scare to edge Omiya Ardija 3-2 in the J. League first division Sunday while Nagoya Grampus Eight climbed into second in the table after a 2-0 win away to Kawasaki Frontale.

News photoChristian of Omiya Ardija scores with a bicycle-kick in the 76th minute of Sunday's J. League match against Tokyo Verdy in Saitama. Verdy won 3-2.

A 15th-minute penalty from Washington gave Verdy the lead and the former Brazil international scored his fourth league goal of the season in the 26th to put the visitors firmly in control at Omiya Stadium.

Substitute Tadamichi Machida looked to have killed the game off with the third in the 74th minute when he punished some poor Omiya defending and clipped the ball over advancing 'keeper Hiroki Aratani.

But Brazilian Christian pulled one back for the home side three minutes later with a scissor kick from close range and a far post header from substitute Hiroshi Morita in the 83rd set up a tense finale.

Omiya continued to press and Morita missed a golden chance to salvage a point when he blazed over from a promising position deep into stoppage time.

At Todoroki Stadium, a stunning free kick from Naoshi Nakamura and a close-range effort from Keita Sugimoto gave Nagoya victory and moved them onto 11 points and second place in the table, five behind leaders Kashima Antlers.