The race for the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE title remains as tight as ever, with the top seven clubs separated by just six points after the conclusion of Sunday’s games.
Kashima Antlers returned to the summit after a 1-0 win over FC TOKYO, but Kashiwa Reysol only sit second on goal difference after defeating Shonan Bellmare 2-0, and Kyoto Sanga F.C. and FC Machida Zelvia also kept themselves within range after beating Nagoya Grampus 2-1 and fellow title hopefuls Vissel Kobe 2-0.
The hero for Kashima was Kyosuke Tagawa, with the substitute scoring the only goal of the game against his former club FC TOKYO when he stroked home Yuma Suzuki’s cross with nine minutes remaining at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Kashiwa also moved onto 47 points after their victory over Shonan, thanks to goals at the end of each half from Tomoya Koyamatsu and Nobuteru Nakagawa.
Koyamatsu chested in at the back post to give hosts Kashiwa the lead in the 44th minute at SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium, and Nakagawa wrapped up the win in the last minute of regular time when he converted from close range.
Fourth-place Kyoto were made to work for their three points on the road at Nagoya, and had to come from behind after Kasper Junker tucked in a rebound to put the hosts ahead in the 61st minute.
Rafael Elias pulled Kyoto level when he clipped in nine minutes later though, and Shinnosuke Fukuda completed the comeback with a powerful drive in the 82nd minute.
Kobe remain in third place, a point behind Kashima and Kashiwa and one ahead of Kyoto, despite the fact they fell to a first defeat in eight games away to FC Machida.
Yuta Nakayama got FC Machida up and running with a sensational effort from 30 yards in just the sixth minute at Machida GION Stadium, and Yuki Soma ensured the hosts would be taking all of the spoils and moving up to fifth place on 43 points when he curled in a beautiful strike nine minutes before half-time.
Elsewhere, Fagiano Okayama picked up a huge three points thanks to a 3-0 win away to Gamba Osaka.
Hiroto Iwabuchi struck a first half brace to give Okayama control of proceedings - converting a fine individual effort in the 10th minute and adding a second in the 36th - and Takaya Kimura added the icing to the visitors’ cake with a header in the 89th minute.
The day’s other game ended as a scoreless draw between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Shimizu S-Pulse, leaving Hiroshima in sixth place and Shimizu in 13th.
FC TOKYO vs. Kashima Antlers - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 25
Kashiwa Reysol vs. Shonan Bellmare - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 25
Nagoya Grampus vs. Kyoto Sanga F.C. - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 25
FC Machida Zelvia vs. Vissel Kobe - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 25
Gamba Osaka vs. Fagiano Okayama - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 25
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. Shimizu S-Pulse - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 25
