HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Ryo Germain scored the winning penalty as Sanfrecce Hiroshima saw off Yokohama F Marinos 1-0 at home on Sunday to begin the new J-League first-division campaign with two straight victories.

Hiroshima, one of the title favorites after narrowly losing last year's J1 race to Vissel Kobe, joined promoted Shimizu S-Pulse and Shonan Bellmare in making a perfect start to 2025.

While both teams had played continental football midweek, the level of intensity was high at a packed Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, where the hosts capitalized on their golden opportunity with Germain's first goal for the club in the 49th minute.

New Hiroshima midfielder Satoshi Tanaka, who went close with an attempt from 20 meters midway through the first half, played a big part in the game's only goal when he robbed possession deep inside the opposing half soon after the break.

Mutsuki Kato received his pass and sent a cross that was struck first-time by Germain, with his goal-bound attempt hitting the hand of Marinos defender Jeison Quinones for a penalty. Germain converted himself, scoring in the bottom left corner.

"It's taken a while, so I'm happy," said Germain, who was linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers in the English second-tier Championship last summer but played out the 2024 season with relegated Jubilo Iwata, bagging 19 goals.

"We were cheered on by wonderful support that sounded like the ground rumbling, and it felt great. They were spurring us on, and I wanted to repay them with a goal."

Togo midfielder Jean Claude stood out with his physical performance for Marinos, who had a late chance when Jun Amano reacted to a loose ball inside the box but was denied by a desperate block from Hayao Kawabe, leaving the visitors with a point after two games.