Consadole Sapporo remain on top of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League following Saturday’s 3-1 win against Renofa Yamaguchi.

All four goals came in the second half, with Ken Tokura breaking the deadlock in the 48th minute. Yoshihiro Uchimura and Julinho piled on for the hosts, while Renofa midfielder Yoshihiro Shoji scored a late consolation.

Struggling Shimizu S-Pulse earned their second home win of the season in dramatic fashion, tying several league records with an 8-0 thrashing of Thespa Kusatsu Gunma. 

Captain Genki Omae, Jong Tae-Se, and Kazuya Murata all recorded braces, bookended by Ryohei Shirasaki and Shota Kanako’s goals in the third and 82nd minutes respectively.

Cerezo Osaka recovered from an early Yuta Toyokawa goal to win 2-1 over Fagiano Okayama and jump into third place. Shohei Kiyohara found the equaliser in the 31st minute, while Kazuya Yamamura scored the game-winner shortly after the hour mark.

The final two matches of the round will take place on Sunday, with Zweigen Kanazawa hosting Matsumoto Yamaga and Ehime FC welcoming Tokyo Verdy.