Jubilo Iwata's Shunsuke Nakamura returned to his old stomping grounds, but it was Yokohama F. Marinos new No. 10 Manabu Saito who provided the crucial touch in Saturday's 2-1 win.

Former Celtic star Nakamura, who in 13 J. League seasons had only played for his boyhood club Marinos prior to joining Iwata this January, was back with his familiar silky touch. But Saito who set up both of Marinos's goals provided evidence that he has earned the club's iconic shirt on merit.

The dribbler was picked to play for Japan's 2014 World Cup squad but wasn't given a single minute on the pitch by then-coach Alberto Zaccheroni. But on Saturday, he provided a pin-point cross from the left in the 26th minute for Quenten Martinus to head home the opener.