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Tokyo. Table-topper and defending champion Kashima failed to stretch its lead in the J-League as the Antlers crashed to a surprise 3-1 defeat against struggling Omiya Ardija on Saturday.

Midfielder Tomoya Uchida scored for Omiya in the fourth minute, and Kohei Tokita and Brazilian defender Mato added two more before Takuya Nozawa pulled one back in injury time.

“An accident often happens in football. We lost a goal following our error. We were careful not to repeat the mistake, but we lost our concentration to lose another goal,” Kashima’s Brazilian coach Oswaldo Oliveira said.

“It was the most disappointing part of the game today. We created several chances in the second half, but we fell victim to their tactics.”

Omiya’s Korean coach Chang Woe-ryong said: “We were able to stop Kashima’s excellent attacks in the midfield. That resulted in this victory. We won 3-1 against the J-League champions... it gives my players a lot of confidence.”

Fourth-place Gamba Osaka ran out a 3-1 winner over Jubilo Iwata with Satoshi Yamaguchi, South Korea international Cho Jae-Jin and Masato Yamazaki on target before Lee Keun-Ho scored a consolation in injury time.

Brazilian striker Cabore broke the deadlock in the 70th minute to put FC Tokyo on its way to a 2-0 victory over Oita Trinita. Japan international striker Keiji Tamada scored the only goal to give Nagoya Grampus a 1-0 win over Albirex Niigata.

In other games on Saturday, Urawa Red Diamonds suffered a seventh successive defeat — the club’s worst run since 1995 — as they went down to Vissel Kobe 3-2. JEF United Chiba drew 1-1 with Yokohama Marinos.

On Sunday, second-place Kawasaki Frontale closed the gap on Kashima to seven points but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Shimizu S-Pulse.

Defender Hiroki Ito came to Kawasaki’s rescue, nodding home the equalizer in injury time after Shimizu took the lead through Keisuke Iwashita in the 77th minute.

Kashima is on top with 50 points, followed by Kawasaki on 43 points and Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Shimizu, both on 40 points.

Forward Hisato Sato fired the winner in the 80th minute to give Hiroshima a 2-1 win over Montedio Yamagata to stay in the hunt.

In Sunday’s other game, Kyoto Purple Sanga failed to cash in after Kashiwa Reysol was reduced to 10 men at the beginning of the second half as they drew 0-0.


Agence France-Presse