Table-topping Urawa Reds preserved their unbeaten record in the J-League by thrashing Albirex Niigata 5-2 in the last round of first-stage matches on Saturday.

Midfielder Yuki Muto scored twice as the former Asian champions, who clinched the season's first-stage title last weekend, blew away their northern visitors to finish on 41 points from 17 games.

Japan striker Yoshinori Muto signed off with a win in his final game for FC Tokyo before joining German side Mainz: a 3-2 home victory over bottom club Shimizu S-Pulse taking them second six points behind Urawa.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima took third spot after a 2-2 draw at Sagan Tosu in southwest Japan, while last season's treble winners Gamba Osaka ended the first half of the campaign fourth after beating Montedio Yamagata 3-1 away.

Kawasaki Frontale beat once-mighty Kashima Antlers 3-2 away in the match of the day to finish the first stage fifth, albeit 11 points adrift of Urawa.

Shonan Bellmare won 3-2 at Matsumoto Yamaga in a battle of two promoted clubs to record their sixth victory of the stage and climb to a respectable 10th in the 18-team first division.