KOBE -- Yokohama F. Marinos clinched their first J.League first-division title in three seasons and fifth overall with a 3-1 victory over Vissel Kobe at Noevir Stadium Kobe on Saturday, ending Kawasaki Frontale's two-year reign at the top of Japanese soccer.
Second-half goals by Takuma Nishimura and Teruhito Nakagawa secured the victory for Kevin Muscat's side, which simplified a complicated string of scenarios also involving second-place Frontale.
Wins by the two leaders gave Marinos the title with 68 points, two ahead of Frontale. Kawasaki closed the season with a 3-2 victory over FC Tokyo.