Gotoku Sakai opened his J. League account with a contender for goal of the season Saturday as Albirex Niigata boosted their survival hopes with a 4-2 defeat of Yokohama F Marinos at Big Swan.
Cho Young Cheol opened the scoring after 20 minutes, and two goals in the space of a minute from Sakai and Brazilian striker Michael put Niigata in control. Bruno Lopes secured victory to put Niigata five points clear of third-from-bottom Ventforet Kofu, beaten 1-0 at home by Kawasaki Frontale, with six games left.
"We tried to make the most of home advantage and our fans getting behind us and were able to play the aggressive style that we like to play," said Niigata manager Hisashi Kurosaki.