J.League wrap: Urawa still in title hunt

Urawa Reds kept the fight for the J.League title alive with a 2-0 win over leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday.

Goals from Tsukasa Umesaki and Keita Suzuki on either side of the interval secured the win for third-placed Urawa, who trail Sanfrecce by six points with two games remaining.

While an inferior goal difference has all but ruled Urawa out of the title hunt, second-placed Vegalta Sendai remain in contention despite a third consecutive draw.

Vegalta were held to a 3-3 draw at 13th-placed Kashima Antlers, who came from two goals down to salvage a point.

Sendai are one point behind Hiroshima, who are favoured to win their final two games against 12th-placed Cerezo Osaka and 15th-placed Vissel Kobe.

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Nagoya Grampus maintained the pressure on Urawa and the final AFC Champions League berth with a 2-0 win over Jubilo Iwata.

Nagoya are equal on points with Urawa but behind with an inferior goal difference.

Kawasaki Frontale accounted for Albirex Niigata 1-0 away from home, while Yokohama F. Marinos were beaten 2-1 by the visiting Kashiwa Reysol.

Sagan Tosu overcame Consadole Sapporo 3-2 on the road, and Vissel Kobe grabbed a 1-0 win at FC Tokyo.

Gamba Osaka claimed a 3-1 victory at Shimizu S-Pulse, while Omiya Ardija won 3-1 away to Cerezo Osaka.