Australian international striker Joshua Kennedy scored the decisive goal in helping Nagoya Grampus beat Albirex Niigata 2-1, lifting the side to fifth in the J-League standings on Sunday. Midfielder Mu Kanazaki opened the scoring four minutes into the second half by breaking through the centre of the pitch to net a right footer.
Kennedy headed in a cross from the left by Japan international striker Keiji Tamada for the second goal in the 67th minute before Bruno Lopes scored a consolation in injury time.
Kanazaki said: "I had the rebound in front of me, so I tried to hit the shot watching the position of the goalkeeper. After my goal, I think we gathered the momentum.
Nagoya's Serbian coach Dragan Stojkovic said: "It was a difficult game because of strong winds, but we played our game in the second half controlling the midfield." In the league's other game on Sunday, Jubilo Iwata defeated Gamba Osaka 2-1.