Copyright kyodonews
KAMEYAMA, Japan - Yuma Suzuki's last-minute leveler secured Kashima Antlers a 1-1 draw away to title rivals Kyoto Sanga on Saturday, keeping the visitors on top of the standings and extending their unbeaten run to 12 games in the J-League first division. Second-placed Kashiwa Reysol beat relegation-threatened Yokohama FC 2-0 to move up to 66 points, one point behind Kashima, while bottom club Albirex Niigata's drop to the J2 was confirmed courtesy of other results before their game on Sunday. With star striker Rafael Elias out for the third straight game, Brazilian compatriot Marco Tulio provided the spark for third-placed Kyoto as they looked to move within two points of Kashima at Sanga Stadium. After setting up two big chances inside the box not taken by Taiki Hirato, Tulio made sure his team got the opener in the 36th minute when Shun Nagasawa sent his reverse ball from the left byline through the legs of Kashima forward Suzuki, with the Brazilian slotting past Kashima keeper Tomoki Hayakawa. While Kashima began to apply more pressure in the second half, Kyoto should have doubled their lead on a 76th-minute counter, only to see Tulio's shot blocked, before the nerves started to set in for the home side in the stoppage time. Kyoto keeper Gakuji Ota failed to hold on to the ball off a corner and needed Taichi Hara to clear a goal-bound header in the follow-up. Kashima refused to go away and got the vital goal near the end of six added minutes as Suzuki stretched out his leg to meet Yuta Matsumura's diagonal cross on the half-volley. "We hadn't scored recently as a team, so it was good," said Suzuki, whose side were coming off back-to-back scoreless draws. "We feel we can win the title only through winning all the remaining games...There's frustration not to have taken all the points." Kyoto stay on 62 points and remain five points behind Kashima, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima stay fifth on 59 points. They missed the chance to close the gap after a 3-0 loss at Yokohama F Marinos, who moved five points off the relegation zone. Machida Zelvia were held 0-0 at Urawa Reds, while Cerezo Osaka beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0.
