J-League wrap: Gamba, Cerezo gain ACL spots

Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka have secured the remaining AFC Champions League berths with victories in the J-League’s final round on Saturday.

But there was heartbreak for Kashima Antlers, who fell from second to fourth on the table with a 1-1 draw at Montedio Yamagata and will miss the tournament.

ACL champions two years ago, Gamba, who began the round in third place, wrapped up their spot in Asia’s top-flight competition with a 3-0 victory at Shimizu S-Pulse, while Cerezo replaced Kashima in the top three with a stunning 6-2 thumping of Jubilo Iwata.

Brazilian striker Lucas put Gamba ahead on 13 minutes, and former Japan international defender Kazumichi Tagaki made it 2-0 in first-half injury time.

Midfielder Hayato Sasaki sealed the victory with just his second goal of the season in the 86th minute, handing Gamba their fifth appearance in the Champions League and second place on the J-League table.

Meanwhile, former Vasco da Gama striker Adriano netted an incredible four goals to hand Cerezo their debut Champions League appearance.

Adriano struck in the 24th minute and again five minutes later, in the 55th minute and on the hour to give Cerezo a 4-2 lead.

Brazilian midfielder Amaral made it 5-2 in the 87th minute, and former Gamba forward Ryuji Bando signed off on the lopsided victory with an injury-time strike.

In Tendo, Japan international Shogo Nishikawa put Yamagata ahead early with a 16th-minute goal, but Samurai Blue team-mate Mitsuo Ogasawara equalised for Kashima on 53 minutes.

Kashima searched desperately for a winner but could not break through Yamagata’s defence, falling one point short of a fourth straight Champions League berth.

There was heartbreak also for FC Tokyo, who will be relegated after falling to 16th with a 2-0 loss at fellow relegation side Kyoto Sanga.

Tokyo replace Vissel Kobe in the drop zone after Masahiro Wada’s side stunned Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0 to keep their top-flight ambitions alive.

J-League champions Nagoya Grampus signed off on their season with a 2-1 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Australia international Josh Kennedy scored a brace for Nagoya, who finished 10 points clear of Gamba at the top of the table.

Kennedy joins Urawa’s Edmilson and Iwata’s Ryoichi Maeda at the top of the goal-scorers table with 16 goals apiece.

In other results, Vegalta Sendai and Kawasaki Frontale drew 1-1, Omiya Ardija defeated Yokohama F Marinos 2-0 and Albirex Niigata handed relegation-bound Shonan Bellmare a 3-1 loss.