The race for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Top Scorer has a new leader after Ryo Germain scored an astounding four goals over the weekend.

Germain’s extraordinary day gave us the first hat trick of the 2024 J1 campaign, but it was that last goal that proved crucial as Júbilo Iwata defeated Kawasaki Frontale, 5-4, thanks to their star striker. He now stands alone atop the scoring chart with his quartet of goals after two weeks.

While Germain is the early leader, Yuki Ohashi and Ryotaro Araki are hot on his heels. Both scored twice in the opening weekend and then they each found the back of the net in Matchweek 2 as Ohashi’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima drew Araki’s FC Tokyo, 1-1.

Joining Ohashi and Araki on three goals this season is Erison, who was on the mark twice in Frontale’s loss to Júbilo. The Brazilian is off to a terrific start to his J.League career after joining Frontale in the winter.