TOKYO: Urawa Reds kept alive their hopes for a Japanese league and cup double as Shinzo Koroki netted twice in a 2-1 win at Albirex Niigata on Saturday.
Koroki toe-poked the winner on the stroke of full-time in northern Japan to give the visitors victory and keep them six points clear at the top with just two games left in the second stage of the J-League season.
The Reds, who beat bitter rivals Gamba Osaka on penalties last week to lift the J-League Cup, improved to 37 points following 15 games after recording a fifth successive win.
Kawasaki Frontale sit second on 31 points following their 2-0 home win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
"It wasn't a pretty goal but they all count," Koroki told reporters.
"Niigata tried to stop us playing so it's a relief to come away with three points."
There was heartbreak at the foot of the table, meanwhile, as hapless Shonan Bellmare were relegated after a 3-2 defeat at Omiya Ardija left them marooned on just five points.
In other games, northern side Vegalta Sendai beat visiting Vissel Kobe 3-0 to end their second-stage title hopes.
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