FC Machida Zelvia are still top of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, but they have Gamba Osaka hot on their heels as the Suita side established themselves as the primary challengers in the title fight.
Let’s check in on that and the rest of the action from Matchweek 23:
Tokyo Verdy 0, FC Machida Zelvia 1
Shota Fujio's hard-fought finish gave leaders Zelvia the victory against Verdy and their third win on the bounce.
Sagan Tosu 0, Gamba Osaka 2
Isa Sakamoto scored first, then Issam Jebali added a beautiful finish to give Gamba the win in Tosu and stay hot on Zelvia’s heels.
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 1, Vissel Kobe 1
Ryota Aoki’s gorgeous free kick earned Consadole a terrific point as Yuya Osako’s headed finish was not enough for Vissel to win in Hokkaido.
Yokohama F·Marinos 4, Kashima Antlers 1
Kashima netted the opener, but it was all F·Marinos after that as four different players found the net in the best performance of the season for the Tricolor.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1, Avispa Fukuoka 0
Yuki Ohashi’s outstanding header was all Sanfrecce needed to take down Avispa in Hiroshima and retake fifth place.
Kawasaki Frontale 1, Cerezo Osaka 1
Marcinho raced in for the first goal, but Vitor Bueno got on the end of a cross to equalize as Frontale and Cerezo split the points in Kawasaki.
FC Tokyo 2, Albirex Niigata 0
It was a spectacular Kokuritsu Day for FC Tokyo. Keita Endo's terrific solo goal got the capital club off to a brilliant start before #NextGenJLEAGUE talent Leon Nozawa sealed all three points.
Kyoto Sanga 0, Urawa Reds 0
A hard-fought scoreless draw in Kyoto saw both Sanga and Reds unable to capitalize on their chances.
Nagoya Grampus 2, Kashiwa Reysol 1
Matheus Sávio’s opening goal was erased by Yuki Soma and Yuya Yamagishi, who scored two minutes apart as Grampus rolled over Reysol to three points.
Shonan Bellmare 5, Júbilo Iwata 0
Five-star Shonan! Former Júbilo star Lukian scored a hat trick against his former club to lead a marvelous day for Bellmare, who sealed an important win in their fight for J1 survival.
