Football Japan Minutecast

Kawasaki Frontale took a major stride towards their first ever J1 crown with a crushing 7-0 defeat of championship outsiders Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Todoroki yesterday evening.

After going in front with an early strike from Juninho, a tricky-looking fixture became much easier for Kawasaki when Hiroshima defender Ryota Moriwaki received a second yellow card midway through the first half. Though the visitors battled on bravely and created a number of chances to equalise, a powerful finish by Chong Tese doubled Frontale�fs advantage on the hour mark and opened the floodgates for six goals in the final 30 minutes.

Although a first league win in two months at home to JEF United Chiba kept Kashima Antlers just a point behind in second, Kawasaki�fs title hopes were boosted further by poor results for a number of their challengers. Third-placed Gamba Osaka fell four points off the pace following an insipid goalless draw with Yokohama F Marinos, while former leaders Shimizu S-Pulse suffered a second consecutive loss at home to FC Tokyo, who move up to fifth.

Shock defeats for two more contenders also helped bring the relegation battle closer to conclusion. Albirex Niigata�fs title dreams appear over after a 1-0 loss at Vissel Kobe, while Urawa Reds suffered a 3-0 derby mauling at home to Saitama rivals Omiya Ardija.

Two goals from Brazilian striker Rafael, either side of a red card for Urawa midfielder Robson Ponte, helped 15th-placed Omiya move nine points clear of Kashiwa Reysol, who lost 2-1 in their critical home meeting with Montedio Yamagata. Montedio and Vissel are now ten points clear of the drop zone with just four to play, but JEF United need a minor miracle after falling twelve points adrift of Ardija with a vastly inferior goal difference.

Oita Trinita�fs relegation was finally sealed on Saturday despite extending their unbeaten run to six with a 1-1 draw at Kyoto Sanga, while a spirited second half recovery saw Nagoya Grampus come from 3-0 down to steal a point at home to Jubilo Iwata. Dragan Stojkovic will be looking for similar heroics on Wednesday, as Grampus try to overturn a 6-2 first leg deficit in their AFC Champions League semi-final with Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.


J1 results (matchday 30)
Kashima Antlers 3-0 JEF United Chiba
Gamba Osaka 0-0 Yokohama F Marinos
Vissel Kobe 1-0 Albirex Niigata
Kashiwa Reysol 0-1 Montedio Yamagata
Kyoto Sanga 1-1 Oita Trinita
Urawa Reds 0-3 Omiya Ardija
Shimizu S-Pulse 1-2 FC Tokyo
Kawasaki Frontale 7-0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Nagoya Grampus 3-3 Jubilo Iwata


AFC Champions League semi-final first leg results
Pohang Steelers (KOR) 2-0 Umm-Salal (QAT)
Al-Ittihad (KSA) 6-2 Nagoya Grampus