J.League wrap: Grip slips for Kashiwa, Kofu earn crucial win

Kashiwa Reysol’s lead on the J.League table is in jeopardy following a 3-2 loss at Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

Brazilian striker Juninho hit a late penalty to snatch victory for the hosts, who sit third on the table with 30 points from 17 matches.

Kashiwa remain on 34 points at the top and will slip to second if Yokohama F Marinos get a point or more at Omiya Ardija on Sunday.

Kawasaki jumped out to a two-goal lead as attacking pair Takuro Yajima and Yu Kobayashi both found the net in the first half.

An own goal to Kawasaki midfielder Kengo Nakamura gave Kashiwa a lifeline in the 54th minute, and Brazilian forward Leandro Domingues tied the scores 16 minutes later with his second goal in as many games.

But there would be more drama to come at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium, as Kashiwa defender Naora Kondo gave away a penalty with a poor challenge on 84 minutes.

Juninho was on hand to convert, guiding Kawasaki to victory and handing Kashiwa their second loss in the past four matches.

Elsewhere, Ventforet Kofu provisionally escaped the relegation zone with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Gamba Osaka.

Gamba were leading 2-0 early as Korea Republic international Lee Keun-Ho (in the 16th minute) and fellow attacker Shoki Hirai (in the 19th) both found the going to their liking at Kose Sports Stadium.

But scores were level by the half hour as Mike Havenaar and Toshihiku Uchiyama restored parity for the hosts.

Brazilian import Paulinho (49) gave Kofu the advantage from the penalty spot early in the second half, though their lead was short-lived as Sota Nakazawa (67) tied the scores at 3-3.

Havenaar then nabbed his brace in the 70th minute to put Gamba away for good. The prolific attacker, who topped the scorers’ table in J2 League last season, now leads the top-flight with 10 goals.

In other results, Shimizu S-Pulse stole three points in a thrilling 2-1 defeat of Albirex Niigata as Naohiro Takahara scored an extra-time winner.

Vissel Kobe snapped a three-game losing streak in style, with a 4-1 hammering of Cerezo Osaka.