Frode Johnsen grabbed a hat trick as Shimizu S-Pulse warmed up for their top-of-the-table showdown with champions Kashima Antlers with an emphatic 6-3 win away to struggling Shonan Bellmare in the J. League on Sunday.
Shimizu ran riot at Hiratsuka Stadium and the points were all but in the bag after 26 minutes due to goals from Johnsen (two), Akihiro Hyodo and World Cup striker Shinji Okazaki.
Johnsen completed his hat trick after Shonan had briefly threatened a comeback through goals late in the first half from Emerson and Yuya Nakamura, before Jungo Fujimoto put the result beyond doubt. Emerson grabbed his second of the game four minutes from time.
"It was an exciting game with lots of goals and I think we deserved to win," said Johnsen. "I scored three goals and the team won so it is a perfect day."