NAGASAKI - V-Varen Nagasaki held off Kyoto Sanga 2-1 in their J.League first-division opener on Sunday, a match preceded by a moment of silence on the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city.
Thiago Santana chipped in the 11th-minute opener after stealing the ball off the Kyoto backline before drilling home a low left-footed strike in the 29th-minute at Peace Stadium, where Rafael Elias got Kyoto's only goal in the 54th minute.
Back in J1 for the first time since 2018, Nagasaki -- whose emblem incorporates an orizuru paper crane, which symbolizes peace -- have been active in promoting peace.
"Make Nagasaki the last place to suffer atomic bombing. Through football, we aim to fulfill our duty of conveying our thoughts on peace to the world," Nagasaki captain and former Japan midfielder Hotaru Yamaguchi declared before the match.
Meanwhile, Kawasaki Frontale grabbed a late equalizer to draw 1-1 away to Tokyo Verdy in the night's other J1 match.
