Yokohama F·Marinos are back on top of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, and they did it in dramatic fashion. Let’s check in on their electric win and all the other action from Matchweek 24:
Yokohama F·Marinos 2, F.C.Tokyo 1
Katsuya Nagato and Diego Oliveira traded goals and had the match looking set for a draw, but Kota Watanabe’s 25-yard strike in stoppage time find its way through bodies and to the back of the net for a thrilling win that catapulted the Tricolor back into first place.
Vissel Kobe 1, Kashiwa Reysol1
Mao Hosoya found the back of the net and Yuya Osako scored his league-leading 18th goal of the season as Reysol picked up a crucial point in their bid to avoid relegation and Vissel fell two points back of Marinos atop the table.
Urawa Reds 1, Nagoya Grampus 0
José Kanté’s gorgeous shot on the turn proved to be the difference as Urawa moved within four points of Nagoya for third place and dealt Grampus a big blow in their push for the title.
Kashima Antlers 2, Sagan Tosu 1
Great strikes by Yuta Higuchi and Yoshiki Narahara had the match level, but Tomoya Fujii came off the bench to draw a penalty that Kei Chinen finished as Antlers won to retain fifth place.
Yokohama FC 0, Cerezo Osaka 1
Léo Ceará came flying in to head home a floated cross just after halftime for the only goal of the match as Cerezo kept up in their fight for an AFC Champions League place, while the Fulie failed to pick up any points in their attempt to avoid relegation.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3, Kawasaki Frontale 2
Sanfrecce and Frontale traded goals for more than 90 minutes, highlighted by Marcos Júnior’s magnificent goal, but were still level at 2-2 into the seventh minute of stoppage time before Makoto Mitsuta scored to win it for the Viola at the death in a spectacular match.
Avispa Fukuoka 0, Albirex Niigata 1
A good move by Albi ended in a Fukuoka own goal, which proved to be all it would take for the visitors to snap Avi’s five-match winning streak.
Gamba Osaka 2, Shonan Bellmare 1
Gamba got back to their winning ways as goals by Juan Alano and Takashi Usami led them to three points and thwarted Bellmare’s bid to climb out of the bottom.
Kyoto Sanga 3, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 0
Sanga kept their terrific home form going as Taichi Hara, Shinnosuke Fukuda and Patric all scored, while Gakuji Ota added a penalty save to down Consa.
