Japan forward Junya Ito scored for the second straight game in France's Ligue 1, putting visiting Stade Reims up 2-0 at halftime in their 4-2 away win against Angers on Wednesday.
"As a forward, I should get results, so I'm happy to have scored," Ito said at Raymond-Kopa Stadium after his fourth game for his new club.
Seconds before the interval, Ito received a through pass just outside the area, lost control of the ball momentarily after taking a shove from a defender, but recovered to fire under the sprawling goalkeeper.
Ito, whose attacking flair down the right was a key to Japan's qualifying for this year's World Cup, has been paired as part of a two-man strike team with Reims.
"I think I might not be able to show off my strengths this way, but it's the team's approach, so there's nothing I can do about it now."
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