Nishizawa maintains scoring streak
By Jeremy Walker
TOKYO (April 13)--Cerezo Osaka striker Akinori Nishizawa continued his
hot start to the new season by netting both his side's goals in a 2-0
victory over Vegalta Sendai when the J.League's Nabisco Cup kicked off
on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old centre forward, who has scored five times in six league
appearances, struck after four and 30 minutes to give Cerezo a comfortable
victory in the first-round, first-leg tie.
Cerezo have started the season well and lie fourth in the 16-team table
after six of the 15 rounds in the first stage, only one point behind
the three teams above them.
The goals of Nishizawa have played a big part, and also helped to make
up for the absence of South Korean World Cup striker Hwang Sun Hong,
who left the club at the end of last season after winning the J.League's
Golden Boot.
Cerezo's two-goal advantage should be enough for the second leg at Sendai
on April 19 against the second division team.
In the first round, all 11 second division clubs have been drawn against
teams from division one, and nine of the 11 cup ties got under way on
Wednesday.
The gap between first and second was highlighted by the fact that eight
of the nine first-leg games were won by the top-flight clubs, with only
Oita Trinita of J2 avoiding defeat. They drew 2-2 at home to JEF United
Ichihara after trailing 2-0 at the break.
The biggest surprise was the collapse of J2 leaders Urawa Reds away
to Kawasaki Frontale, who won the second division championship last
season but are struggling in the top flight with only four points from
six games. Frontale won 3-0 and the visiting fans from Urawa were so
angry with their team that they pelted the players with toilet rolls,
plastic bottles and other debris when they took their customary bow
after the final whistle.
The architect of Frontale's handsome win was 34-year-old Brazilian striker
Mazinho, who rediscovered the form many observers thought he had left
behind at Kashima Antlers, where he spent four successful years.
Mazinho scored once and created the other two and generally ran the
Reds defense ragged.
Tomoaki Kuno opened the scoring in the 36th minute after Mazinho had
collected a long ball over the top and played it back into his path.
Four minutes into the second half, Mazinho added the second from the
penalty spot after being brought down by right-back Nobuhisa Yamada;
and with seven minutes remaining, the Brazilian teased the Urawa defense
before playing a short pass to unmarked substitute Akira Ito, who made
it 3-0.
Elsewhere, Verdy won 1-0 away to Sagan Tosu, as did Kyoto Purple Sanga
at Albirex Niigata.
The Yokohama F Marinos also won away, 2-0 at Ventforet Kofu; while Sanfrecce
Hiroshima went one better at Montedio Yamagata, winning 3-0 thanks to
two goals from Australian central defender Tony Popovic.
Vissel Kobe took the top scoring honours by trouncing Omiya Ardija 4-0
away, with a couple for Masakazu Senuma; and Avispa Fukuoka hung to
win 3-2 away to Shonan Bellmare.
Two of the 11 first-round ties have been delayed: Consadole Sapporo
against Gamba Osaka because of the dangers posed by Mount Usu's volcanic
activity in Hokkaido; and Shimizu S-Pulse against Mito Hollyhock because
S-Pulse are in Thailand for the semifinals of the Asian Cup Winners
Cup.
Five J1 teams received a bye into the second round: J.League champions
Jubilo Iwata, Nabisco Cup holders Kashiwa Reysol, last season's losing
finalists Kashima Antlers and the losing semi-finalists, FC Tokyo and
Nagoya Grampus Eight.