Nagoya Grampus extend lead in J League

(GSM) – Nagoya Grampus are another step closer to the Japanese championship following a 2-1 win over Vegalta Sendai on Saturday.

J League leaders Nagoya hosted Vegalta at Mizuho Athletic Stadium where the visiting side surprisingly took the lead through North-Korean Yong-Gi Ryang.

But a penalty goal from Joshua Kennedy leveled the score in the 57th minute and the home crowd were rewarded for the wait when Yoshizumi Ogawa netted the winner with two minutes left to play.

Nagoya extended their lead from seven to nine points as Kashima Antlers dropped two points at home against Shimizu S-Pulse.

Former Feyenoord and Bochum player Shinji Ono handed Shimizu the lead after just 11 minutes but Kashima limited the damage as Daiki Iwamasa equalised in the 54th.

Cerezo Osaka surpassed local rivals Gamba Osaka to jump into third place, following a 2-1 win over Albirex Niigata. Ryuji Bando and Yusuke Maruhashi scored for the hosts, while only Kazuya Myodo did so for the guests.

Gamba Osaka dropped to fourth place after losing 2-1 at Montedio Yamagata. Gamba drew first blood through Shoki Hirai on the hour but Montedio turned things around within eight minutes with goals from Tomi Shimomura and Kohei Miyazaki.