HIROSHIMA - Former Japan forward Takuma Asano scored his first goal since his summer return to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their 4-0 home thrashing of Shimizu S-Pulse in the J.League first division on Saturday.
The win moved Hiroshima up to second on 26 points, a point behind leaders Machida Zelvia who drew 0-0 at Vissel Kobe. Kashiwa Reysol won 3-2 at Kashima Antlers to sit third on 25 points.
Playing on the back of a shock 4-0 loss to V-Varen Nagasaki on Wednesday, a dominant Hiroshima was gifted a 41st-minute opener at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, where Taishi Matsumoto's 20-meter drive squirmed underneath Shimizu keeper Togo Umeda.
Asano, who left Hiroshima for Arsenal in 2016, came on as a halftime substitute and the former Mallorca speedster doubled the lead in the 50th minute by turning in Daiki Suga's fierce shot from the left.
Forward Akito Suzuki produced a deft touch before finding the top right corner from just inside the area in the 69th minute, bagging his ninth goal in 12 games, and the home team added another with an own goal six minutes later. Shimizu remain 11th on 14 points.
Tokyo Verdy secured their first win of the season and moved off the bottom of the 20-team J1 after beating fellow strugglers Avispa Fukuoka 3-1 at home.
