Consadole Sapporo remain on top of the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League following their 1-0 win at Thespa Kusatsu Gunma in the competition’s 20th round. 

The match remained at 0-0 until the 70th minute, when Brazilian striker Reis found the game-winner.

Cerezo Osaka kept closely behind with their 1-0 win against Tokyo Verdy as Ricardo Santos scored the lone goal of the match.

Yamaguchi Ishin Park was the scene of a dominating display by the visitors as Renofa Yamaguchi fell 4-0 to Shimizu S-Pulse. 

Ryohei Shirasaki, Hideki Ishige, Koya Kitagawa, and Kazuya Murata all found the back of the net to propel S-Pulse into the promotion playoff zone.

A late goal by Kyoto Sanga midfielder Koji Yamase was not enough to overcome Masaki Iida’s brace early in the match as the Kansai side lost 1-2 to visiting Matsumoto Yamaga, who remain in third place.