Yokohama F. Marinos will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their Levain Cup semifinal against Kashima Antlers after Hugo Vieira snatched victory in the final moments of a see-sawing contest on Wednesday night.
The Portuguese forward was first to the ball after Kashima keeper Hitoshi Sogahata spilled a thundering free kick from left-back Ryosuke Yamanaka in the fifth minute of injury time, poking home from the six-yard box.
The winner came less than two minutes after Antlers appeared to have secured a draw with Tomoya Inukai scoring from a corner. The 182-cm defender rose above the pack and headed home after Ryota Nagaki curled his kick from the left into the goalmouth.