Gilsinho scored twice in the first half as Group B leaders Jubilo Iwata beat Vissel Kobe 2-0 at home to move three points clear of three teams in the J. League Nabisco Cup on Saturday.
The Brazilian forward put Iwata ahead with a superb strike in the 36th minute and doubled the lead four minutes later at Yamaha Stadium.
Iwata improved to 10 points from four matches. Yokohama F. Marinos, 3-0 winners over visiting Shonan Bellmare, climbed into second on goal difference over Montedio Yamagata and Urawa Reds, who did not play Saturday.
In Group A, substitute Yoshiki Takahashi drove home a long-range shot in the 70th minute, sending Vegalta Sendai to a 1-0 win at Cerezo Osaka.
Cerezo were eliminated from the competition, having earned only one point from four matches.
Host Albirex Niigata lost 1-0 to Omiya Ardija.