J.League leaders Omiya Ardija saw their advantage at the top cut to three points as they lost 2-1 away to Vegalta Sendai.
Shingo Akamine and Wilson put the hosts 2-0 up before half-time and, though Zlatan Ljubijankic pulled one back, Zdenko Verdenik’s side saw their run of four consecutive wins ended.
Second-placed Yokohama F.Marinos subsequently made the most of that shock result as they came from behind to beat Nagoya Grampus 2-1.
A Josh Kennedy penalty handed the hosts the lead but goals from Marquinhos and Shingo Hyodo – the latter of which came 15 minutes from time – ensured Marinos closed the gap at the top.
In Saturday’s late game, Urawa Reds moved into the final AFC Champions League qualification spot with a vital 3-1 win over Kashima Antlers.
Mihailo Petrovic’s men went a goal behind on the hour mark but rallied to fire three goals home in quick succession to leapfrog their opponents in the J.League standings.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima, in fifth place, kept up their challenge with a 1-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Oita Trinita.
A greater margin of victory looked on the cards when Tsukasa Shiotani netted with just two minutes on the clock but Sanfrecce were forced to work hard to secure the three points.
Oita’s fellow relegation battlers Jubilo Iwata failed to capitalise on that result as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Kashiwa Reysol, with Jorge Wagner’s goal the difference between the sides.
There was better news for Shonan Bellmare, however, as they moved within one point of escaping the relegation zone courtesy of a thrilling 3-2 victory over FC Tokyo.
Tokyo overturned a 1-0 deficit to get their noses in front but were the victims of a similar turnaround which was completed by Ryoto Nagaki’s late goal.
Shonan remain poised to overtake Sagan Tosu, who failed to pull themselves away from the drop zone as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Albirez Niigata.
Meanwhile in mid-table, Shimizu S-Pulse took 10th place from Ventforet Kofu with a 2-0 win, while a Yoshito Okubo double helped Kawasaki Frontale come from two goals behind to secure a 2-2 home draw against Cerezo Osaka.
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