TOKYO – Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma scored a thunderous first-half goal to lead East to a 3-1 victory over West in the annual J-League all-star game on Saturday. Tokyo Verdy forward Mboma crashed in the second goal of the game from 20 metres five minutes after Kashima Antlers midfielder Koji Nakata had opened the scoring in front of 35,000 at Sapporo Dome.
A glancing header from Verdy midfielder Takuya Yamada in the 65th minute put the result beyond doubt, but former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura salvaged some pride for the West with a close-range effort six minutes from time.
Mboma was named man of the match and picked up a cheque for one million yen ($8,396) as East beat West for the third year running.
