Kashima Antlers drop points at Shonan Bellmare

(GSM) – Nagoya Grampus will have a chance to extend their lead in the Japanese J League after main rivals Kashima Antlers dropped points at Shonan Bellmare.

Second-placed Kashima hoped for an easy task at last-placed Shonan and were on course for three points after Marquinhos scored the opener in the ninth minute.

But Kashima failed to add to their lead and instead allowed Shonan’s Yoshiro Abe to net the equaliser in the dying seconds, 1-1.

In additional to having their title ambitions dented, Kashima will also have to share their second spot with Gamba Osaka who beat Omiya Ardija 5-1 on Saturday.

Kashima are now eight points behind leaders Nagoya, but the latter could extend that gap to 11 points in Sunday’s away match to Albirex Niigata.