J-League wrap: Final day battle looms

Cerezo Osaka put the pressure on their city rivals Gamba for an Asian Champions League place with a 4-0 win over Shonan Bellmare on Sunday.

Nagoya Grampus are the J-League champions, but the battle for the last two ACL spots will come down to the final day of the season on Saturday.

Three teams will fight for the last two places – Kashima Antlers , Gamba and Cerezo.

Cerezo moved to one point behind Gamba with their goal spree against the relegated Shonan.

Goals to Yusuke Maruhashi, Carlos Coimbra, Luis Martinez and an own goal from Bellmare’s Akihiro Sakata ensured Cerezo took the points.

If Gamba lose or draw away to the fifth-placed Shimizu S-Pulse on Saturday, a Cerezo home win over the 11th-placed Jubilo Iwata would see them take the remaining spot.

Kashima Antlers moved to second on the table after beating relegated Kyoto Sanga 2-1, with Takuya Nozawa and Fellype Gabriel scoring for the winners.

Antlers are level on points with Gamba, and should they lose or draw to the 12th-placed Montedio Yamagata and the two Osaka sides win on the final day, Montedio would be the unlucky side to miss out on an ACL spot.