Shu Kuruta hit the equaliser for Gamba Osaka to secure a 1-1 draw with Shimizu S-Pulse, pulling them level on points with Urawa Reds.

It was not easy sailing for the hosts - who were out to capitalise on the Reds’ home loss to Kashima Antlers on Thursday - but Tiago Alves hit the opener for the guests right after the break.

Kuruta ensured Kenta Hasegawa’s men would not repeat the blunder of their Saitama Stadium counterparts, however, when he turned home the equaliser in the 57th minute to ensure a share of the spoils.

Things proved much more straightforward for Kawasaki Frontale on the other hand as they surged to a 3-0 win over Albirex Niigata.

Rhayner struck the opener in the 40th minute before Yu Kobayashi and Hiroyuki Abe added to the tally after the break to move Frontale up to sixth in the table.