TOKYO, Oct 19 (Reuters) – Tokyo Verdy, vying for their first league title in eight years, cruised to the top of the J-League first-division table on Sunday after defeating Kashiwa Reysol 2-0. Picking up a pass from Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma outside the box, Verdy defender Atsuhiro Miura blasted into the top right hand corner of the net in the 35th minute.
Mboma then headed home his 13th goal of the season in the 74th minute to seal the victory and climb to the top of the table with 19 points from 10 games.
Verdy lead second-placed Yokohama F Marinos, who`s game on Saturday against Kyoto Purple Sanga ended goalless, on goal difference.
Brazilian striker Emerson gave Urawa Reds a 1-0 lead over FC Tokyo after firing his 15th goal of the season in the 40th minute of Saturday`s match. But three minutes into the second half midfielder Koji Yamase drove a corner into his own net to hand Tokyo the equaliser.
JEF United Ichihara joined third-placed Urawa on 18 points after two goals from striker Yuto Sato sealed a 2-1 win over Vegalta Sendai.
Kashima Antlers defeated Shimizu S-Pulse 2-0 at home to occupy fifth spot in the 16-team first division on 17 points.
