KASHIMA, Japan (AP) – Yuya Osako scored two second-half goals on Saturday to lead Kashima Antlers to a 5-0 thrashing of Gamba Osaka in the J-League.

Yasushi Endo scored late in the first half and Kashima took a 4-0 lead with goals by Shinzo Koroki, Osako and Masashi Motoyama after the break. Osako completed the rout with a goal in stoppage time as Kashima won its third straight game and improved to 10 points.

“The fans enjoy games where there is a lot of scoring,” Motoyama said. “The mood on the team has been much better lately after a slow start and, hopefully, we can keep winning.”

J-League leader Vegalta Sendai is on 19 points and plays later Saturday.

Elsewhere, Brazilian striker Marcio Richardes scored a penalty in the 67th minute to lead Urawa Reds to a 2-1 win away over Nagoya Grampus.

Richardes put Urawa on the scoresheet with a long-range blast in the 22nd minute but Mu Kanazaki equalized for the hosts just four minutes later.

Hisato Sato scored two second-half goals to lead Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a 4-1 thrashing of Kawasaki Frontale.

Toshiyuki Takagi scored in the 76th minute to lead Shimizu S-Pulse to a 1-0 win over FC Tokyo while promoted Sagan Tosu earned a 1-1 draw with defending champions Kashiwa Reysol.

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