There’s a new team atop the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Let’s check in on our leaders and all the other action from Matchweek 8:
Cerezo Osaka 1, Kawasaki Frontale 0
Cerezo star man Léo Ceará headed home a terrific cross from Capixaba to score the game’s lone goal and fire the Sakura to the top of the table.
Avispa Fukuoka 1, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1
Iranian striker Shahab Zahedi continued his hot streak with another goal for Avispa before Sho Sasaki hit back to give Sanfrecce a share of the points in Fukuoka.
FC Machida Zelvia 1, Vissel Kobe 2
The reigning champions knocked Zelvia out of first place with a terrific performance at the National Stadium, including a special match-winner from Yoshinori Muto.
Yokohama F·Marinos 2, Shonan Bellmare 2
F·Marinos were up a goal and a man, but Sho Fukuda struck in the 80th minute to earn Bellmare an impressive draw in Yokohama.
Kashima Antlers 1, Kyoto Sanga 0
Kashima left it late, but Kimito Nono headed home five minutes from full time to earn the Antlers three crucial points against Sanga.
Kashiwa Reysol 1, Urawa Reds 0
The stingy Reysol defense was back at it again in Kashiwa, keeping a clean sheet and taking three points off the Reds thanks to Kosuke Kinoshita’s smart finish in the 72nd minute.
Júbilo Iwata 0, Nagoya Grampus 1
Nagoya secured an impressive away win in Iwata, thanks to Ken Masui's early goal and a dogged defensive display for 47 minutes with 10 men.
Tokyo Verdy 2, FC Tokyo 2
The first top-flight Tokyo Derby since 2008 delivered big time. Verdy jumped out to a two-goal lead before 10-man FC Tokyo roared back with a brace from substitute Keita Endo, whose stoppage-time equalizer gave us a draw we won't soon forget.
Gamba Osaka 2, Sagan Tosu 1
Genta Miura struck in the ninth minute of stoppage time to win it for Gamba as 10-man Tosu suffered yet another loss to keep them bottom of J1.
Albirex Niigata 1, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 1
Yuya Asano put Consadole in front, but a second-half red card put the visitors on their heels and Albirex made them pay. Hiroki Akiyama found the back of the net 10 minutes from full-time to share the points in Niigata.