Just a short one this week – as we are working on the final draft of JSoccer Magazine Issue 5 – going to the printer today – and, as always, the results and table are always up and ready straight after the games at our Results and Tables links.
Consadole Sapporo 0-2 Shimizu S-Pulse 10,783
A simple away win for S-Pulse as they continue to build for that surprise finish to the season that sees them take the CHampionship?!
Urawa Reds 1-1 Omiya Ardija 39,814
Reds took the lead, then Ardija went down to ten men early and still the away team took a point from the Saitama Derby through Higashi’s goal just before the break.
F.C.Tokyo 3-1 Yokohama F.Marinos 26,950
The Marinos bubble has burst – defeat by Cerezo last week is followed by a comprehensive beating from FC Tokyo – Lucas with two goals.
Jubilo Iwata 1-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 11,115
Over-achieving Iwata – top scorers, but 4th worst defence in J1, and pulling in only 11.000 for a home game against the leaders – hold Sanfrecce to a draw. Sato scores for Hiroshima, but that’s not news!
Kashima Antlers 1-0 Vissel Kobe 13,798
Antlers probably did enough to pull away from the relegation scrap, but they are FAR from convincing, and this game was won on a speculative long distance drive from Osako, that the keeper really should have saved.
Vegalta Sendai 2-1 Kawasaki Frontale 17,159
Frontale took the lead but class told in the end as Vegalta came back, took the points, and – with Sanfrecce’s draw – the top spot, too.
Albirex Niigata 0-1 Cerezo Osaka 24,601
A real six-pointer here was won by the away team on a late Kakitani strike (how often have we written that this season?!) and returning Cerezo coach Levir Culpi – given the simple task of staying in J1, and nothing else – already looks safe!
Nagoya Grampus 1-0 Kashiwa Reysol 14,193
Nagoya took the points on a goal from Tamada, created by a through ball from, wait for it, Josh Kennedy! He is back! The Australian came on as a sub, and his match-winning “assist” says it all. Nagai and Tamada should benefit greatly from the return of the “big man”!
Sagan Tosu 4-1 Gamba Osaka 19,729
Tosu took a very early lead on a free kick and never looked back. Gamba pulled a goal back to make it 3-1 and, as always, left plenty of gaps going for the comeback – but they always leave gaps, even when they are winning??!
At the top Sanfrecce give it up to Vegalta, and it seems that it is down to the triumvirate of Hiroshima, Sendai and Urawa now, but another half a dozen teams are within touching distance of the top and won’t yet give up.
At the bottom, Albirex were the big losers as they went down to Cerezo. Omiya and Gamba picked up a point and wins for Cerezo and Antlers PROBABLY did enough to take them out of the relegation scrap now. But Frontale should be wary – they are dropping like a stone and good runs from Gamba and Omiya could drag them down.