The pressure is on J2 leaders Avispa Fukuoka after Shonan Bellmare drew even with them on points in this weekend’s MEIJI YASUDA J2 League action.

The Kyushu side picked up a point at JEF United Chiba, managing a 0-0 draw at the Fukuda Denshi Arena.

Further west, Daiki Sugioka’s goal in the 50th minute gave Bellmare a 1-0 win at Tokushima Vortis, putting them at 34 points with a inferior goal difference to Avispa’s.

Promotion contenders Tokyo Verdy earned a key 2-1 win against Nagoya Grampus, with Douglas Viera’s rapid-fire brace in the 65th and 67th minutes proving the difference after Koki Sugimori scored for the visitors early in the match.

On Sunday, Mito Hollyhock extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches when Ryoji Fukui scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win at Matsumoto Yamaga.

Kamatamare Sanuki notched their second win of the season at home against Zweigen Kanazawa, with Hironori Nishi scoring the 68th-minute game-winner.

Renofa Yamaguchi’s new manager Carlos Mayor was unable to start his tenure with a win as his side fell 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama, who took full points after defender Shingo Kukita scored in the second minute.