Cerezo Osaka stumbled in their mission to keep up with the automatic promotion race after drawing 1-1 at Fagiano Okayama in the 36th round of the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League.

Souza’s 37th-minute goal was neutralised by Fagiano’s Kenji Sekido shortly before half-time, causing the Kansai side to drop two more points behind second-placed Matsumoto Yamaga who handily won 3-0 at JEF United Chiba.

Fourth-placed Shimizu S-Pulse drew within one point of Cerezo as a result of their own 3-0 win at Zweigen Kanazawa, with Chong Tese scoring a brace and captain Genki Omae netting a goal of his own.

Current table-toppers Consadole Sapporo drew 2-2 at Ehime FC despite leading twice, while Giravanz Kitakyushu leapt to within one point of safety after winning 3-0 against Kamatamare Sanuki.