J1 League Match Week 29 Recap: Kashima maintain title push, Kawasaki-F and C-Osaka win big | News

Kashima Antlers kept themselves right on the tail of 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE leaders Kyoto Sanga F.C. on Saturday, picking up a solid 3-0 win over Shonan Bellmare to move back up into second place on 55 points.

Cavric set Kashima on their way to victory when he slotted clinically home after Yuma Suzuki flicked the ball skilfully into his path in the 48th minute, and Kimito Nono doubled the hosts’ advantage when he curled home a beautiful effort seven minutes later.

Leo Ceara then wrapped up the scoring with a wonderful solo effort in the 68th minute, ensuring he remains tied at the top of the scoring rankings on 16 goals with Rafael Elias, whose Kyoto side Kashima only trail on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Kawasaki Frontale moved up to seventh place and are only seven points off the top themselves, after putting in an assured performance to win 3-0 away to Yokohama F･Marinos.

It only took four minutes for Kawasaki-F to seize control of proceedings at Nissan Stadium, as Tatsuya Ito broke in behind and maintained his composure to fire beyond Yokohama F･M goalkeeper Ilgyu Park.

Erison made it 2-0 to the visitors with a penalty 17 minutes into the second half, before Ten Miyagi added the gloss for Kawasaki-F in the eighth minute of injury time when he swept in from inside the area.

Elsewhere, Cerezo Osaka came from behind to pick up an impressive 4-2 win away to Avispa Fukuoka, thanks to braces from Masaya Shibayama and Rafael Ratao.

Fukuoka struck first and were 1-0 up at half-time after Tomoya Miki rifled in a low drive from distance in the 41st minute, but C-Osaka roared back in terrific style in the second half to pick up their first win in four games.

Shibayama scored the first of his goals nine minutes after the restart, side-footing home from close to the penalty spot, and then put his side in front 10 minutes later when he tucked in a rebound.

Rafael Ratao then got amongst the goals with a tap-in in the 77th minute, adding his second a minute before full-time with a crisp strike. Substitute Wellington netted a late consolation for Fukuoka, heading in from a corner in the 98th minute.

The day’s other games all finished 1-0, as Toshiki Takahashi struck to seal victory for Shimizu S-Pulse away to Albirex Niigata, Yota Sato headed the only goal of the game to ensure Nagoya Grampus took all three points from their trip to Fagiano Okayama, and Shuto Abe’s 85th minute bullet was enough for Gamba Osaka to edge their contest against Urawa Reds.