The fight for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League title remains red hot, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima moving back into first place and just one point separating the top three.

Let’s see how it all shook out in Matchweek 31:

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 6, Yokohama F·Marinos 2

Tolgay Arslan scored two goals in a spectacular Sanfrecce performance, with Hiroshima putting six past F·Marinos to surge into first place.

FC Machida Zelvia 0, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 0

Porous in the back no longer, Consadole were outstanding defensively and kept the door shut in Machida against frontrunners Zelvia. The result gave Sapporo hope of avoiding the drop and sent Zelvia out of pole position in the title race.

Albirex Niigata 2, Vissel Kobe 3

The late show in Niigata! Albirex looked poised for a big home win, but Yoshinori Muto equalized in the 73rd minute before Ryuho Kikuchi headed home in stoppage time. The win moves the reigning champions within one point of the top as they look to win a second consecutive title.

Kashima Antlers 0, Kashiwa Reysol 0

The Antlers were held at home as Reysol’s defense stood strong to pick up an impressive point in Kashima and remain two points clear of the relegation zone.

Kyoto Sanga 2, Gamba Osaka 2

The sensational Rafael Elias scored his eighth and ninth goals since joining Sanga in July, but Shinnosuke Nakatani banged home a late equalizer to earn Gamba a draw in Kyoto.

Tokyo Verdy 2, Sagan Tosu 0

Fuki Yamada and Hijiri Onaga were on the mark as Verdy won their fourth in a row to continue their excellent first season back in the top flight.

Urawa Reds 0, FC Tokyo 2

An own goal and a penalty kick gave FC Tokyo a two-goal lead inside 17 minutes and they made it hold up for a well-earned three points against Urawa.

Nagoya Grampus 2, Kawasaki Frontale 0

Kensuke Nagai’s sublime strike from 25 yards gave Grampus fans a highlight to remember as they rolled past Frontale at home.

Shonan Bellmare 1, Cerezo Osaka 2

Bellmare scored first, but J1's leading scorer led Cerezo back as Léo Ceará netted twice to lead the Sakura to victory in Hiratsuka.

Júbilo Iwata 0, Avispa Fukuoka 0

There was nothing to separate these two sides in Iwata as Júbilo picked up a point against Avispa in their bid to escape the drop zone.