CHIBA — JEF United Chiba striker Seiichiro Maki had a point to prove — and although he did so with a trademark goal against Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday night, it was not good enough to secure all three points as the visitors fought back to draw 1-1.
After being left out of the national squad on Thursday for the Kirin Cup and World Cup qualifiers, the 2006 World Cup forward was determined to make a statement to national coach Takeshi Okada.
And when he headed JEF in front on 50 minutes, meeting Tatsuya Yazawa's chip into the middle, he celebrated in style in front of the mass of yellow shirts behind the goal at Fukuda Denshi Arena. It was his fourth goal of the season, and looked to be enough to take all three points as the home team repelled wave after wave of Marinos attacks.