World Cup hopeful Seiichiro Maki sent Japan coach Zico another reminder of his goal-scoring talents with a brace as 10-man JEF United Chiba survived a late comeback to beat troubled Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-3 in the J. League Nabisco Cup on Wednesday night.
Yokohama defender Naoki Matsuda scores the game-winner in the second half of Nabisco Cup group-league play against the FC Tokyo on Wednesday.
Victory maintained JEF's spotless record in the group stage of the Japanese League Cup while Urawa Reds also stayed perfect with a third win in quick succession over Avispa Fukuoka and Yokohama F. Marinos edged FC Tokyo thanks to a second-half winner from Naoki Matsuda.
Maki, who has been in scintillating form over the last few weeks, added to Masataka Sakamoto's third-minute opener in the sixth minute and doubled his tally in the 27th before Yuto Sato made it 4-0 nine minutes before the break.