Yokohama F･Marinos ensured their survival and also ended Kyoto Sanga F.C.’s 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE title hopes on Sunday, picking up an impressive 3-0 win on the road at SANGA STADIUM by KYOCERA.
Two-time defending champions Vissel Kobe also saw their chances of a third straight triumph extinguished, as they drew 1-1 away to Gamba Osaka.
Yokohama F･M took the lead in the 35th minute against Kyoto when Kaina Tanimura headed in a superb free-kick from Jordy Croux, and Jun Amano made it 2-0 to the visitors with 18 minutes remaining, tucking in a rebound after Gakuji Ota had saved his initial shot.
Asahi Uenaka then added the gloss for Yokohama F･M in the second minute of injury time, converting from a tight angle to move his side eight points above the drop zone with two games to play.
Kyoto are similarly now eight points behind leaders Kashima Antlers, meaning their brave push for a first title has come to an end.
The same is true of Kobe’s hopes of a third consecutive championship, with them trailing Kashima by seven points after being held to a draw at Panasonic Stadium Suita.
G-Osaka broke the deadlock courtesy of Kanji Okunuki’s crisp finish in the 80th minute, and although Daiju Sasaki equalised with a terrific strike nine minutes later, it wasn’t enough to keep Kobe’s challenge alive.
Elsewhere, Soma Anzai struck in an 87th-minute winner to secure all three points for FC TOKYO against FC Machida Zelvia in the Kokuritsu Day clash at Japan National Stadium, Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat Urawa Reds 3-0 thanks to goals from Kosuke Kinoshita, Mutsuki Kato, and Naoki Maeda, and Cerezo Osaka claimed an emphatic 4-1 win away to Shimizu S-Pulse.
Rafael Ratao pounced on a rebound to set C-Osaka on their way in just the third minute at IAI Stadium Nihondaira, before his fellow Brazilian Vitor Bueno doubled the visitors’ lead eight minutes later with another quick reaction, following in after Masaya Shibayama’s effort had thudded off the woodwork.
C-Osaka went in 3-0 up at the break after Rafael Ratao claimed his second of the day three minutes before half-time, slotting in from the edge of the six-yard box, and although Takashi Inui pulled one back for Shimizu when he swept in from a tight angle against his former side six minutes from time, Kengo Furuyama wrapped up the win for C-Osaka in the third minute of additional time.
Gamba Osaka vs Vissel Kobe | 2025 J1 LEAGUE | MW36
FC Machida Zelvia vs FC TOKYO | 2025 J1 LEAGUE | MW36
Kyoto Sanga F.C. vs Yokohama F•Marinos | 2025 J1 LEAGUE | MW36
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Cerezo Osaka | 2025 J1 LEAGUE | MW36
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Urawa Reds | 2025 J1 LEAGUE | MW36
