Sato becomes J-League leading scorer with 158th goal

TOKYO (AP) - Hisato Sato scored his 158th career goal on Sunday to become the all-time leading scorer in the J-League and help Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a 1-1 draw with Nagoya Grampus.

The 33-year-old Sato netted a 43rd-minute equalizer to move ahead of former Jubilo Iwata striker Masashi Nakayama and Kawasaki Frontale's Yoshito Okubo, who scored his 157th goal on Saturday.

Robin Simovic scored in the 17th minute for Nagoya.

Sato's goal came when a shot from Kosei Shibasaki deflected off his leg into the net.

"I was hoping that my 158th goal could have been a bit prettier," Sato said. "Hopefully the next one will lead to a win."

Sato helped Hiroshima win three league titles in the last four seasons and was the J-League Player of the Year in 2012.

In other games, Jay Bothroyd scored the winner with eight minutes left as Iwata claimed its first win in the top flight after two seasons in the second tier with a 2-1 victory over Urawa Reds.

Gamba Osaka beat Ventforet Kofu 1-0 thanks to a 36th-minute goal from Shun Nagasawa, and FC Tokyo edged Vegalta Sendai 2-1.