The Meiji Yasuda J1 League jumped back into action and the fight at the top got a little closer. Let’s check in on everything from Matchweek 25:
Cerezo Osaka 0, FC Machida Zelvia 0
First place Zelvia had the bulk of the chances, but they couldn’t break through as they settled for a point in Osaka.
Kashima Antlers 3, Sagan Tosu 0
#NextGenJLEAGUE star Kimito Nono scored the opener then Hayato Nakama and Koki Anzai added goals of their own as second place Antlers moved within three points of the top.
Gamba Osaka 0, FC Tokyo 0
Gamba had all of the ball and all of the chances, but no goals as they remained five points back of Zelvia.
Tokyo Verdy 0, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1
Sho Sasaki got to a loose ball in front of goal and banged it home to earn Sanfrecce three points, taking them up to fourth place.
Kawasaki Frontale 3, Vissel Kobe 0
Akihiro Ienaga scored after Vissel’s first red card then Shin Yamada scored twice after Vissel’s second red card as Frontale cruised past nine-man Kobe.
Shonan Bellmare 1, Avispa Fukuoka 1
Akito Suzuki gave Bellmare a lead, but Shahab Zehedi headed home from a corner kick in stoppage time to steal a dramatic point for Avispa.
Yokohama F·Marinos 3, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2
The Brazilian triumvirate of Anderson Lopes, Élber and Yan Matheus took centerstage as all three scored to deliver F·Marinos full points.
Kyoto Sanga 3, Nagoya Grampus 2
Patric scored twice in the first 20 minutes, but a red card reduced Grampus to 10 men and Sanga stormed back with three goals for a crucial win in their bid to avoid relegation.
Albirex Niigata 2, Júbilo Iwata 2
Albi jumped out to a two-goal lead, but Júbilo’s star led a one-man comeback as Ryo Germain scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season to earn the visitors a draw.
Urawa Reds, Kashiwa Reysol
Postponed due to weather.