SENDAI, Japan (Interstat) — Vegalta Sendai secured its first victory of the J2 League season, defeating Roasso Kumamoto 2-0 behind a dominant performance from forward Ko Miyazaki on Saturday at Yurtec Stadium Sendai.

The home side controlled the match from the outset, ultimately breaking through in the second half to hand Roasso Kumamoto its second consecutive league defeat. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 1-1 draw, though it aligned with the same service’s ELO system, which gave Vegalta Sendai an 87.90 percent probability to win.

After a first half that saw few clear chances but plenty of physical play, including a yellow card shown to Vegalta Sendai substitute Wataru Iwashita in the 20th minute, the deadlock was finally broken in the 69th minute. Miyazaki, who was also booked earlier in the half, finished a decisive play to give his team the lead.

The home side sealed the victory in the 90th minute, with Kokoro Kobayashi scoring to ensure the three points for Vegalta Sendai. The assist on the clinching goal was credited to Iwashita, while midfielder Renji Matsui, who received a yellow card in the 81st minute, was credited with an assist on Miyazaki’s opener.

With the win, Vegalta Sendai improves its record in the J2 League to one win and one loss. Across all competitions, the club now holds a record of one win, two losses and one draw. The victory provides a positive response after the team opened its league campaign with a 3-2 road loss to Imabari on Nov. 2.

Roasso Kumamoto, meanwhile, remains winless in the J2 League, falling to zero wins and two losses. The team’s record across all competitions now stands at one win, two losses and one draw. The visitors struggled to generate offense, continuing a trend from their previous league match, a 1-0 home loss to Renofa Yamaguchi on Nov. 2.

The match was a showcase for Vegalta Sendai’s attacking duo. Miyazaki, with a goal and an assist, was the driving force, while Kobayashi provided the insurance marker late in stoppage time to cap the performance.

The J2 League contest, organized by the Japan Football Association, was played under clear skies in Miyagi Prefecture.