Football Japan Minutecast

First-half goals from Tomoaki Makino and Yosuke Kashiwagi were enough to give Sanfrecce Hiroshima a first victory over Urawa Reds in ten years and condemn their opponents to a sixth league defeat in as many games. Though hopes were raised briefly by a headed goal from half-time substitute Marcus Tulio Tanaka midway through the second period, Urawa�fs failure to find an equaliser means that they have now suffered their worst run of losses since 2002.

Their conquerors, on the other hand, move up to fourth after six games without defeat - a record bettered only by Shimizu S-Pulse, who are now third after a 5-1 thrashing of Shizuoka rivals Jubilo Iwata extended their unbeaten run to eight. Long-time challengers Albirex Niigata fall out of the Asian Champions League places to fifth after a second 2-1 home reverse in four days - this time against Kyoto Sanga - which makes it now no wins in six for Jun Suzuki�fs side.

Elsewhere, Gamba Osaka appeared to be cruising into the top three themselves on Sunday as goals from Yasuhito Endo and Lucas gave them a 2-0 half time lead against Nagoya Grampus, but all their hard work was then undone in a crazy last 20 minutes. After Grampus had somehow found their way level thanks to Yuki Maki and a Keiji Tamada penalty, Gamba �ekeeper Naoki Matsuyo suffered yet more torment against these opponents when he hopelessly misjudged Magnum�fs lofted free kick, and looked back in horror to see the Brazilian celebrate an unlikely winner seven minutes into stoppage time.

Straightforward home victories later that evening for Kashima Antlers over FC Tokyo and for Kawasaki Frontale against Montedio Yamagata maintained the status quo at the top, with Kashima enjoying an eight-point lead and Kawasaki still with a three-point cushion in second.

At the other end, a late own goal from Yuji Nakazawa gave Kashiwa Reysol a 1-1 draw with 10-man Yokohama F Marinos, while JEF United Chiba held on for a similar scoreline away to Omiya Ardija. Bottom club Oita Trinita will look to boost their survival prospects when they host 15th-placed Vissel Kobe tonight.


J1 results (matchday 23)
Omiya Ardija 1-1 JEF United Chiba
Albirex Niigata 1-2 Kyoto Sanga
Shimizu S-Pulse 5-1 Jubilo Iwata
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 Urawa Reds
Kashiwa Reysol 1-1 Yokohama F Marinos
Gamba Osaka 2-3 Nagoya Grampus
Kashima Antlers 3-1 FC Tokyo
Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 Montedio Yamagata