SUITA, Osaka Pref. (Kyodo) Brazilian striker Magno Alves rediscovered his scoring touch as Gamba Osaka beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 on Wednesday night to maintain its two-point lead atop the J. League.

Urawa Reds striker Washington scores his second goal of the match against Albirex Niigata on Wednesday at Saitama Stadium 2002. KYODO PHOTO

Urawa beat Albirex Niigata 3-1 courtesy of a Washington hat-trick while third-placed Kawasaki Frontale ended visiting Nagoya Grampus Eight's four-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory at Todoroki Stadium.

Elsewhere, former Real Mallorca striker Yoshito Okubo scored twice, but Cerezo Osaka remained at the foot of the table after a 4-4 draw away to fellow struggler Kyoto Purple Sanga.