Wins both large and narrow on Sunday propelled four teams into the semi-finals of the 2016 J.League YBC Levain Cup.
At Mitsuzawa Stadium, Kayke’s goal on the verge of half-time gave Yokohama F. Marinos a 1-0 win over Omiya Ardija, allowing the hosts to advance on away goals with a 2-2 aggregate score.
Urawa Reds left no question of their desire to lift the Cup at their home stadium, beating Vissel Kobe 4-0 with two goals from Toshiyuki Takagi as well as strikes from Yuki Abe and Tadanari Lee to claim a 6-1 aggregate victory.
Following their 2-2 draw in the first leg, Gamba Osaka dominated at home in a 6-3 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima, with Shun Nagasawa scoring a first half brace and Ademilson finding his own double in a four-minute period after the hour mark.
The Suita Stadium residents are now two matches away from appearing in a third straight J.League Cup final.
FC Tokyo shrugged off their 1-1 home draw to Avispa Fukuoka, with Soutan Tanabe and Hideto Takahashi scoring in a 2-0 win at Level 5 Stadium.
The capital club are looking to win their first J.League Cup since 2009.
The semifinals will take place on October 5 and 9, with Gamba Osaka facing Yokohama F. Marinos and FC Tokyo challenging Urawa Reds.
The final is scheduled to kick off just one week later on October 15 at Saitama Stadium.