Yokohama Marinos in reach of J-League title
AFP
November 23, 2013, 10:23 pm
TOKYO (Japan) (AFP) - Yokohama Marinos put one hand on the J-League title with a 1-0 win over Jubilo Iwata on Saturday to move four points clear at the top of the table with two games remaining.
Former Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa scored in the 69th minute to seal the win for Marinos, who took full advantage of all three of their nearest rivals losing.
Marinos can now clinch their first title since 2004 with a win over Albirex Niigata at home next Saturday.
"If we don't win the next game then this will mean nothing," said the 35-year-old Nakazawa. "Losing would be unforgivable."
Second-place Urawa Red Diamonds saw their title challenge all but ended by a 3-1 home defeat to Kawasaki Frontale.
Brazilian defender Jeci opened the scoring for Frontale with a header in the 12th minute, but Urawa defender Tomoaki Makino equalised in the 57th minute only to put through his own net two minutes later.
League top-scorer Yoshito Okubo then rounded off the scoring in injury time with Frontale's third goal and his 25th of the season.
Defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima lost 1-0 to Cerezo Osaka to remain a point behind Urawa in third place.
Cerezo jumped into fourth on goal difference ahead of Kashima Antlers, who lost 2-1 at home to Sagan Tosu after a 95th-minute winner from Sagan's Kim Min-Woo.
At the other end of the table, Shonan Bellmare filled the third and final relegation spot - along with Jubilo and Oita Trinita - after a 2-1 defeat to FC Tokyo.
Shimizu S-Pulse beat Omiya Ardija 1-0 to condemn Omiya - league leaders in July - to their 16th defeat in 17 games, Nagoya Grampus beat Kashiwa Reysol 3-2, Oita drew 0-0 with Ventforet Kofu, and in the day's other game, Albirex beat Vegalta Sendai 1-0.
