There were dramatic late interventions in three of the four games played in the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE on Saturday, as Kashima Antlers, FC Machida Zelvia, and FC TOKYO all found the net in the closing minutes to earn themselves points.
Kashima had the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE’s leading scorer Leo Ceara to thank for their point against fellow title hopefuls Sanfrecce Hiroshima, with the Brazilian striking in injury time to rescue a 1-1 draw.
Hiroshima took the lead through a Shunki Higashi header in the 19th minute at Kashima Soccer Stadium, when Sota Nakamura broke into the left-hand side of the Kashima penalty area and dinked an inviting ball back towards the penalty spot and Higashi made no mistake as he arrived unmarked just past the penalty spot.
It looked as though that finish would decide the game in the visitors’ favour as Hiroshima kept Kashima at arm’s length, but Leo Ceara was on hand to ensure the spoils were shared in the 92nd minute.
Yuta Higuchi floated a corner to the far post, and after Naomichi Ueda headed back across goal the ball fell kindly for Leo Ceara, who was able to prod home his 12th goal of the season from close range.
FC Machida were celebrating all three points after their late strike against Shonan Bellmare, meanwhile, with Na Sangho making himself the hero for Go Kuroda’s side.
Shota Fujio put FC Machida ahead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka when he headed home Hokuto Shimoda’s corner, but Sho Fukuda equalised in the 62nd minute for Shonan, showing some searing pace to round FC Machida goalkeeper Kosei Tani and then terrific composure to evade Daihachi Okamura’s sliding tackle and convert.
Na made it 2-1 to FC Machida with seven minutes remaining, however, keeping his cool and slamming into the net after being played in by Takuma Nishimura.
There was a rollercoaster contest played out at Ajinomoto Stadium as well, where FC TOKYO and Cerezo Osaka drew 2-2.
Marcelo Ryan got the ball rolling as he slotted home to put FC TOKYO 1-0 up in just the third minute, but Rafael Ratao equalised three minutes before half-time for C-Osaka and Shunta Tanaka then put them ahead in the 71st minute with a crisp finish.
The game would be bookended by goals from FC TOKYO’s Brazilian marksman though, and Marcelo Ryan made sure the points were shared as he broke in behind and calmly tucked home with nine minutes left on the clock.
In the day’s other game, a solitary Yuki Yamamoto strike in the 58th minute was enough to earn Kawasaki Frontale a 1-0 win over Yokohama FC.
Kashima Antlers vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 20
Shonan Bellmare vs. FC Machida Zelvia - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 20
FC TOKYO vs. Cerezo Osaka - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 20
Yokohama FC vs. Kawasaki Frontale - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 20
