Yu Kobayashi scored twice as Kawasaki Frontale thrashed Urawa Reds 4-1 in the J. League on Wednesday night, landing a sizeable psychological blow ahead of their meeting in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals.
Hiroyuki Abe set up Kobayashi for the first-half opener and then got on the scoresheet himself before Tomoaki Makino replied for Reds in the 73rd minute.
But Kobayashi scored his second from the penalty spot after Wataru Endo was sent off and substitute Tatsuya Hasegawa wrapped up the scoring on a humid night at Todoroki Stadium.