Japan: Nagoya closer to championship after beating Cerezo

(GSM) – Winning the Japanese J-League championship seems to have become a matter of time for Nagoya Grampus, after the leaders beat Cerezo Osaka 1-0 on Saturday.

The only goal of the match between Nagoya and Cerezo came after 28 minutes, when former Karlsruhe striker Joshua Kennedy scored from the penalty spot.

Kashima Antlers, who play away to Albirex Niigata on Sunday, will need a win to restore the original eight point-gap.

Gamba Osaka had their third place come under threat after losing 2-4 at home against Vissel Kobe.

Gamba took the lead on two occasions, with Takashi Usami and Keun-Ho Lee finding the target, but their goals were canceled out by Takayuki Yoshida and Hiroyuki Komoto respectively.

Keijiro Ogawa then made it 2-3 in the 57th minute and Botti added a fourth away goal in the 87th to remove all doubt.