Meiji Yasuda J1 League Match-day 9 took place on August 18th and 19th. Table leaders Kawasaki Frontale defeated Oita Trinita, and nailed their eight consecutive victory.
Kawasaki took the lead through two goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Leandro Damião, scored in the 5th and the 24th minute. Though they could not add any, they easily controlled the game and won it 2-0. Kawasaki have 25 points out of 27, while Oita have now lost five in a row.
Gamba Osaka hosted Yokohama FC. The home side got the first goal of the match, courtesy of Ademilson in the 34th minute. They then conceded, but Patrick won it for Gamba with a dramatic goal in the additional time, meaning the Osakans are in second place. Nagoya Grampus produced a raging goal-rush against Urawa Reds. Naoki Maeda played the leading role, scoring his first in the 9th minute and adding one only a minute later. In the 38th minute he claimed a hat-trick, and he even added another in the second half. The final score was a thunderous 6-2.
Kashiwa Reysol traveled to Yokohama F.Marinos and their top-scorer Olunga struck in the 62nd minute. However, the away side conceded in the 78th minute, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Reysol winning streak stopped at four. Vegalta Sendai won at Vissel Kobe, their first 3-pointer in seven games.
Shimizu S-Pulse, hosted Consadole Sapporo. Shota Kaneko found the net at the end of the first half. The home side conceded an equalizer, but Renato Augusto made it 2-1 in the 85th minute and in additional time Carlinhos Júnio added another. Kashima Antlers defeated Sagan Tosu 2-0 through two goals scored by Ryuji Izumi and Everaldo. It was the first time in the season that Antlers managed two wins in a row.
The big clash between Cerezo Osaka and FC Tokyo ended in a scoreless draw, with both teams creating only few chances. Sanfrecce Hiroshima met Shonan Bellmare at home and prevailed, thanks to Yuya Asano scoring the winner. They won two in a row, and moved up to 8th place. The visitors lost they third in a row and could not escape from the bottom of the table.
