Last weekend we saw SIX away wins from the nine J1 games, and plenty of goals. This weekend was slightly different – THREE 0-0 draws for a start and the goals coming from the bottom of the table.

Gamba Osaka put four past Consadole Sapporo through an Endo free kick, a Kurata long range special, a final minute goal from Takei and an early own goal, credited, so far, to Paulinho! Gamba take on Nagoya on Wednesday night next.

Kashima Antlers must have thought they had the three points wrapped up – from a long range Ogasawara blast – until the referee decided to hand Reysol a PK in added time. Leandro Domingues kick was saved, but Kondo got to the rebound to make it 1-1 and save a point. Koroki had a goal correctly chalked off for offside, also.

FC Tokyo were dire last week so a comfortable 2-0 win against plummeting Cerezo – goals from Hasegawa and Lucas will buoy their fans ahead of their game against Reysol in midweek.

Nahoya Grampus continued to improve, while Jubilo Iwata cntinued to drop points. A Fujimoto free kick on the stroke of half time, and a Nagai shot from a one-two with Fujimoto immediately after the break gave Nagoya a 2-0 win.

Shimizu S-Pulse are probably disappointed to drop points at home to Sagan Tosu, but their lack of goals this season is not helping. Today’s goal was a Genki Omae PK, before Ikeda pulled a goal back and earned Sagan a point. Shimizu’s next goal will be their 1000th in J.League play.

Samfrecce Hiroshima will be disappointed not to make up ground on Vegalta on top with this 0-0 draw with struggling Omiya Ardija. Neither team had a clear cut chance today as the defences did their work and the final passes were not quite there.

Urawa Reds frustrated Vegalta Sendai, playing a very efficient defensive game a home to add to the scoreless games in J1 today. With so many of the higher-placed teams drawing or losing, the league table gets closer together. Tatsuya Tanaka had a late goal canceled out for offside, TV replays were, of course, inconclusive!

In the Kanagawa Derby Yokohama F.Marinos failed to score yet again but will probably be happy with a 0-0 draw, and a point from high-flying, and high-scoring, Kawasaki Frontale.

See you next week, but don’t forget the two games on Wednesday night!