TOKYO, July 16 – Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma scored a hat-trick as resurgent Tokyo Verdy beat Jubilo Iwata 3-2 on Wednesday but it was still not enough to book a place in the quarter-finals of the J-League Nabisco Cup.
While the result kept up Verdy’s unbeaten run under Argentine manager Osvaldo Ardiles, they lost out on a place in the last eight after Urawa Reds beat Vissel Kobe 1-0 to claim second spot in preliminary Group A on goal difference.
J-League champions Jubilo advanced as group winners despite their defeat in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, FC Tokyo won 2-1 at Vegalta Sendai to top Group B and book a place in the last eight alongside Yokohama F-Marinos, who were held 1-1 by visiting Kashiwa Reysol.
Nagoya Grampus Eight won 1-0 at Kyoto Purple Sanga to progress from Group D, while Gamba Osaka advanced from Group C despite being beaten 2-1 at JEF United Ichihara.
Nabisco Cup holders Kashima Antlers received a bye into the quarter-finals, as did Shimizu S-Pulse because of their involvement in the Asian Champions League.
The two-leg quarterfinals will be played on August 13 and 27.
