Postecoglou gifted J-League birthday win

Ex-Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou has received the best birthday gift with his relegation-threatened side stunning star-studded Vissel Kobe in the J-League.

Ahead of his 53rd birthday on Monday, the Australian manager got a much-needed three-point lift as his struggling Yokohama F Marinos upset fifth-placed Vissel Kobe 2-0 at Misaki Park Stadium.

Sunday's win is a huge boost for Marinos as the Andres Iniesta and Lukas Podolski-led team butchered multiple clean-cut chances.

Postecoglou has been under pressure with Marinos on the verge of falling into the drop zone of the 18-team Japanese league.

Marinos fans held up a "We Trust Our Boss" banner in the stands, indicating the Australian still has the support of some after a shaky first season at the club since leaving the Socceroos.

Midfielder Takefusa Kubo made a beeline to celebrate with Postecoglou after scoring the opener on 53 minutes before a horrendous back-pass opened the door for Teruhito Nakagawa to kill off the game.

The scalp doesn't give the Australian any extra breathing room in his fight to escape relegation, with Marinos still sitting just one point above the relegation zone in 15th.

The Yokohama club finished fifth last season and has never been relegated in the competition's 26-year history.