Kashima Antlers extended their lead at the top of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE table to three points on Saturday, beating reigning champions Vissel Kobe 1-0 thanks to Leo Ceara’s 33rd-minute strike.
The Brazilian's sixth goal of the season ensured Kashima were the only top seven team heading into Match Week 7 to claim victory this weekend.
Kawasaki Frontale and Shimizu S-Pulse both seized their opportunities as teams ahead of them dropped points, moving up into fourth and fifth thanks to comprehensive 3-0 wins over FC TOKYO and Shonan Bellmare, respectively.
Shin Yamada, Tatsuya Ito, and Erison were all on the scoresheet for Kawasaki-F in their Tamagawa Clasico triumph, while a Kai Matsuzaki strike sandwiched between a brace for Koya Kitagawa made sure of the win for Shimizu.
Elsewhere, Kyoto Sanga F.C. served up the biggest shock of the weekend as they defeated previously unbeaten Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0.
Rafael Elias was the hero for Kyoto, scoring the only goal of the game in the 60th minute to draw his side level with Hiroshima and four other clubs on 11 points.
Fagiano Okayama also have that tally after they edged Yokohama F･Marinos 1-0 at JFE Harenokuni Stadium - Lucao’s 67-minute goal and a fourth clean sheet of the season for Svend Brodersen ensuring Okayama maintained their strong start to their debut campaign in the first division.
Things haven’t been going quite so well for Nagoya Grampus, but they were able to celebrate a first win of the season as they beat Yokohama FC 2-1 thanks to goals from Ryuji Izumi and Sho Inagaki.
Just three points separate the 10 teams between second and 11th in the nascent MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE table, and the closeness of the competition is reflected in the fact that the weekend’s remaining four games all ended with the points being shared.
FC Machida Zelvia remain second but were held to a 2-2 draw by Avispa Fukuoka, while the contest between third-place Kashiwa Reysol and Tokyo Verdy finished scoreless.
On Friday, Cerezo Osaka took the lead through Rafael Ratao in just the second minute against Urawa Reds but had to make do with a 1-1 draw after Ryoma Watanabe equalised for Urawa with seven minutes remaining.
Meanwhile, Albirex Niigata dropped to the bottom of the rankings in dramatic fashion as they conceded in the 97th minute to draw 3-3 with Gamba Osaka.
It didn’t look as though Issam Jebali’s two goals would be enough for G-Osaka after Motoki Hasegawa, Jin Okumura, and Ken Yamura all registered for Niigata, but Takashi Usami’s penalty deep into injury time ensured the spoils were shared.
Kashima Antlers vs. Vissel Kobe - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
FC TOKYO vs. Kawasaki Frontale - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Shimizu S-Pulse vs. Shonan Bellmare - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Kyoto Sanga F.C. vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Fagiano Okayama vs. ️ Yokohama F・Marinos - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Nagoya Grampus vs. Yokohama FC - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Avispa Fukuoka vs. FC Machida Zelvia - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Kashiwa Reysol vs. Tokyo Verdy - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Cerezo Osaka vs. Urawa Reds - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
Albirex Niigata vs. Gamba Osaka - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 7
