J.League wrap: All square as Grampus visit Gamba

Gamba Osaka were held to 2-2 draw in their J.League clash with reigning champions Nagoya Grampus, while Kashima’s winning run continued.

Gamba took the lead through Brazilian Rafinha on the stroke of half-time and went 2-1 up through Kim Seung-Yong after Montengrin midfielder Igor Burzanovic had drawn the visitors level.

But Australia striker Joshua Kennedy – the 2010 J.League leading scorer – struck in the 85th minute to deny Gamba a victory that would have seen them leap-frog Nagoya into first place on the table.

Elsewhere, Kashima Antlers moved up to sixth with a 2-1 win over Cerezo Osaka to make it five wins from their last five matches.

The sides went into half-time scoreless before the match burst into life in the second half.

Midfielder Kim Byo-Kyung put visitors Cerezo ahead on 52 minutes, but goals from Yuya Osako and Chikashi Masuda in the 56th and 74th minutes sealed the three points for Kashima.