Kashiwa Reysol moved to second in Japan's J2 League after Michael Olunga's 73rd-minute goal secured a 1-0 win over Albirex Niigata at Denka Big Swan Stadium on Saturday.
The Harambee Stars forward, who previously scored twice against FC Tokyo in the Japanese League Cup, made his second league appearance since Kashiwa's relegation from the top flight last year. Olunga came off the bench in a 1-0 victory over Machida Zelvia the previous weekend.
Kashiwa now shares nine points with league leaders Mito Hollyhock after three matches. The team will face Sagan Tosu in the Japanese League Cup quarterfinals next week.
Olunga is set to join Kenya's national team on March 18 for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana on March 23. He scored twice in Kenya's four qualifiers to help the team secure their continental berth.
