Yu Kobayashi (C) of Kawasaki Frontale makes a shot on goal during a J-League first division match against Consadole Sapporo on Aug. 28, 2021, at Sapporo Dome. (Kyodo)

       SAPPORO (Kyodo) -- Yu Kobayashi scored one goal and set up another as leaders Kawasaki Frontale won 2-0 at Consadole Sapporo in the J-League first division on Saturday, bouncing back from their first defeat of the season three days earlier.

       Kawasaki, who lost 1-0 away to Avispa Fukuoka on Wednesday for their first defeat in 25 league games this term, won their first game in four having struggled for form following the departures of Tokyo Olympians Ao Tanaka to Dusseldorf and Kaoru Mitoma to Brighton.

       "The only thing I had in mind was to score and make my team win," Kobayashi said as he reached double figures for the sixth straight season. "I wanted to show that Frontale are not dead yet."

       Frontale's victory moved them four points clear of second-place Yokohama F-Marinos, who lost 2-0 at home to Kashima Antlers. Their win moved Kashima into third place, 15 points back of Marinos.

       Daiya Tono's effort from the edge of the box struck the post for Kawasaki in the 13th minute, while Takuro Kaneko dragged his effort wide from close range for Consadole four minutes later before the reigning champions took the lead at Sapporo Dome.

       Kobayashi, who received a short pass from Ten Miyagi facing away from the goal, evaded a defender in tight space in the box before hitting a low effort on the turn beyond the reach of Sapporo keeper Takanori Sugeno in the 34th minute.

       The second arrived five minutes later, Kobayashi initially losing the ball but picking it up near the right byline before sending a cross between Consadole's defense and keeper for Ono to tap in.

       Consadole, who dominated the game before going two goals down, had the first chance of the second half five minutes in when Ryota Aoki's effort was headed clear in front of the goal after Chanathip Songkrasin made a good movement off the ball.

       Lucas Fernandez also had a chance in the 72nd minute after Jay Bothroyd played him through in the box, but the substitute was unable to take a shot as he tumbled under pressure with the referee waving play on as Consadole went three games without a win.

       Elsewhere, Vissel Kobe dropped to fourth with a 1-0 home loss to FC Tokyo, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima won 4-1 at home over last-place Oita Trinita behind a Junior Santos brace, and Cerezo Osaka won 1-0 away in their Osaka derby with Gamba Osaka.

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