League leaders Yokohama F·Marinos had the week off, which gave their title challengers a chance to narrow the gap. Did they do it?
Recap the entire weekend of Meiji Yasuda J1 League and see how teams fared from the top to the bottom:
Cerezo Osaka 0, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3
Sanfrecce won the battle of in-form teams as goals by Yusuke Chajima, Taishi Matsumoto and Pieros Sotiriou led the Viola to a fourth straight win that has them just a point back of Marinos for first place.
Kawasaki Frontale 2, Kashima Antlers 1
Goals by Akihiro Ienaga and Yasuto Wakizaka within the first 14 minutes were enough to power Frontale to an astounding 14th straight match without a loss against Kashima and put the defending champions just two points back of the top.
Kashiwa Reysol 3, F.C.Tokyo 6
The strong defenses of Tokyo and Reysol took a break on Saturday and the offenses took centerstage in a thrilling goal fest that saw Adaílton’s brace push the capital club to victory.
Sagan Tosu 1, Avispa Fukuoka 1
Fuchi Honda scored first, but Jordy Croux answered as Sagan and Fukuoka split the points on an exciting Friday Night J.League.
Nagoya Grampus 0, Gamba Osaka 2
Patric scored in the third minute and Musashi Suzuki added a rocket three minutes from full time as Gamba earned their first win in two months and a much-needed three points in the relegation fight.
Shimizu S-Pulse 1, Kyoto Sanga 0
Takashi Inui’s first goal for the club extended S-Pulse’s unbeaten streak to five matches and put more space between them and the drop zone.