There was movement at the top of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE table on Saturday, as Kashiwa Reysol, Vissel Kobe, and Kyoto Sanga F.C. all overtook Kashima Antlers at the summit.
Kashiwa are now leading the way on 44 points, after Tojiro Kubo’s 73rd-minute header secured a 1-0 win over FC TOKYO at SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium.
Two-time defending champions Kobe sit just a point behind Kashiwa, meanwhile, thanks to a dominant 4-0 triumph against Shonan Bellmare.
Takahiro Ohgihara opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a pile-driver from distance, before Taisei Miyashiro doubled Kobe’s lead three minutes into the second half when he coolly converted from inside the area. Daiju Sasaki made it 3-0 with 13 minutes remaining, before Koya Yuruki wrapped up the win in the third minute of additional time.
A 2-1 win from behind over Albirex Niigata means Kyoto are now in third place, tied with Kashima on 41 points and with the same goal difference, but with their noses just in front on account of scoring five more goals.
Danilo Gomes put Niigata in front in the 29th minute at SANGA STADIUM by KYOCERA, but Marco Tulio equalised five minutes later for Kyoto before sealing his brace and the win with another confident finish in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.
While their rivals all won, Kashima found themselves falling to a third straight 2-1 defeat and dropping from first to fourth after a loss away to Kawasaki Frontale.
Leo Ceara put Kashima ahead in the 25th minute, tucking in from close range after Yuta Matsumura’s unselfish assist, but Tatsuya Ito restored parity in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time with a controlled volley. Marcinho was then on hand to complete the turnaround for Kawasaki-F in the 58th minute, gleefully converting after Akihiro Ienaga teed him up.
At the other end of the table, bottom-placed Yokohama F･Marinos picked up a much-needed 1-0 win in their derby against Yokohama FC - Anderson Lopes scoring his first MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE goal since Match Week 1 with a penalty in the 78th minute to keep things incredibly tight in the relegation zone.
Gamba Osaka also claimed their local bragging rights with a 1-0 win over rivals Cerezo Osaka. Neta Lavi’s strike was diverted in by teammate Riku Handa in the 70th minute to decide the contest at YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM.
In the day’s other games, Sota Nakamura struck a dramatic winner for Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the 97th minute to secure a 1-0 win away to Fagiano Okayama, Ryuho Kikuchi, Yuki Soma, and Takaya Numata all found the net as FC Machida Zelvia beat Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0, and Nagoya Grampus and Tokyo Verdy drew 0-0.
Kashiwa Reysol vs. FC TOKYO - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
Vissel Kobe vs. Shonan Bellmare - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
Kyoto Sanga F.C. vs. Albirex Niigata - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
Kawasaki Frontale vs. Kashima Antlers - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
Yokohama FC vs. Yokohama F･Marinos - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
Cerezo Osaka vs. Gamba Osaka - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
Fagiano Okayama vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
FC Machida Zelvia vs. Shimizu S-Pulse - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
Nagoya Grampus vs. Tokyo Verdy - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 23
