An abbreviated eighth round of the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League took place over Saturday and Sunday, with two games on hold due to acts of nature.

In Saturday’s match, former Japan international Akira Kaji scored the lone goal in Fagiano Okayama’s 1-0 win at Thespa Kusatsu Gunma.

Of the eight Sunday fixtures, only Matsumoto Yamaga earned three points with a 2-0 win at FC Gifu. The hosts surrendered an own goal early in the match, with Masahiro Nasukawa doubling the visitors’ lead just three minutes later.

Machida Zelvia led for most of their showdown with JEF United Chiba after Koji Suzuki’s 11th-minute effort, but they were forced to leave two points on the table after striker Ado Onaiwu’s equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Current league leaders Cerezo Osaka needed a similar miracle, with Brazilian midfielder Souza salvaging a point for the hosts in the 92nd minute of a 1-1 draw against Giravanz Kitakyushu.

Matches between Kyoto Sanga and Roasso Kumamoto, postponed due to severe earthquakes in Kumamoto prefecture, as well as Zweigen Kanazawa and Ehime FC, shelved due to dangerously high winds, will be made up on a future date.