TENDO, Japan (Interstat) — Montedio defeated visiting Sagan 2-0 on Saturday in a J2 League match at ND Soft Stadium Yamagata. Junya Takahashi put Montedio ahead in the 11th minute, and Ryoma Kida added a second goal in the 45th. Takahashi, a forward, played 90 minutes and scored once. Sagan could not answer and was kept off the scoreboard. Montedio improved to 4 wins and 4 losses in the competition and across all competitions. Sagan moved to 2 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws in the competition and across all competitions. The result followed Montedio’s recent loss to Kataller and Sagan’s recent defeat to Iwaki. Neither side scored after halftime as Montedio protected its shutout. Sagan has dropped consecutive league matches and struggled to generate a response after the break. The home side held firm late and closed out the win. Montedio next travels to Oita on Oct. 3, while Sagan visits Blaublitz on Oct. 4.