Ahn shines again as Shimizu beat Kobe in J-League football

TOKYO, Sept 6 (AFP) - South Korea's World Cup hero Ahn Jung-Hwan fired home the decisive goal to clinch Shimizu S-Pulse's 2-1 victory over Vissel Kobe Saturday, lifting Shimizu to third in the standings of the J-League football.

Ahn hit a three-metre shot for his fifth goal of the season on a Jumpei Takagi pass from the left in the 73rd minute after Ryuzo Morioka and Kazuyoshi Miura drew it at 1-1 in the 50th and 54th minutes.

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His compatriot, Yokohama Marinos' Yoo Sang-Chul, was also a hero of the day as he nodded home a header two minutes into the second half to beat Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 and give the first-stage winners their first win in the second stage.

Japan's international forward Yoshito Okubo successfully tuned up for a friendly against Senegal next Wednesday with two lightening equalizers as Cerezo Osaka held J-League champions Jubilo Iwata to a 2-2 draw.

Brazilian midfielder Uesley scored twice in the 41st and 89th minutes for Nagoya Grampus Eight to deny Vegalta Sendai's first win in 15 games with a 3-0 whitewash.

"It's like sprinkling cold water on our opponents to score a goal at the end of a half. We gained the momentum with that goal," said Uesley. "Our whole team played really well today. I hope we continue to win like this."

In other games, Gamba Osaka defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1, while Tokyo Verdy overwhelmed Kyoto Purple Sanga 4-1.

The lead was kept by JEF United Ichihara, who were to play Kashima Antlers Sunday. They stood with three straight wins for nine points, two points ahead of Urawa, Shimizu, Gamba Osaka, Kashima and Kashiwa.

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