J.League wrap: Kashiwa stay top as Gamba, Nagoya keep pace

Kashiwa Reysol maintained their two-point lead atop the J.League on Thursday as title challengers Gamba Osaka and Nagoya Grampus also won.

Only three points separate the top three and Kashiwa Reysol ensured they stayed league leaders with a 4-0 thumping of Albirex Niigata.

Brazilian attacker Leandro Domingues hit a first-half brace, including one from the penalty spot, before countryman Jorge Wagner and Japanese defender Junya Tanaka wrapped up the win after the interval.

Their fourth straight win meant they stayed top despite Gamba Osaka’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Kashima Antlers.

Brazilian striker Rafinha struck what proved to be the winner on 58 minutes.

Nagoya Grampus remain third after they eased to a convincing 3-1 defeat of Cerezo Osaka.

Midfielder Jungo Fujimoto curled in a wonderful free-kick that was cancelled out by Rui Komatsu’s penalty, before Australian striker Josh Kennedy restored Nagoya’s advantage with a well-placed header.

Kensuke Nagai sealed the points with 13 minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, one-time J.League and AFC Champions League winners Urawa Reds continue to struggle in their fight to avoid relegation, slipping to a 3-0 loss at home to Jubilo Iwata.

Ryoichi Maeda’s brace and a Ryohei Yamazaki goal were enough for the victors as Urawa remain just two points clear of the drop.

Ventforet Kofu missed their chance to move out of the bottom three after surrendering a lead in their 2-1 loss at home to Yokohama F Marinos.

Striker Mike Havenaar continued his goalscoring form with his 17th league goal of the season, but Shohei Ogura netted twice in the last five minutes for Yokohama.

Montedio Yamagata’s relegation to J2 League was confirmed after they slumped to a 2-0 loss against Vissel Kobe.

In other matches, Shimizu S-Pulse extended their unbeaten league run to six matches with a 2-2 draw at relegated Avispa Fukuoka.

Keigo Higashi’s goal gave Omiya Ardija a 1-0 win at Kawasaki Frontale, while Vegalta Sendai and Sanfrecce Hiroshima played out a scoreless draw.