J.League wrap: Sanfrecce beaten as Sendai, Shimizu held

12 May 2012 20:51

Yokohama F. Marinos scored two late goals to stun Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-1, as the top three J.League clubs all dropped points on Saturday.

Yokohama came from behind to beat Hiroshima, with Manabu Saito and Seitaro Tomisawa scoring two crucial goals in four minutes to snatch victory.

Playing at home, Hiroshima took the lead after six minutes through Toshihiro Aoyama but Yokohama hit back in the 39th minute with a goal from Marquinhos to make the score 1-1 at half-time.

In a tight second half, the visitors clinched their fourth straight win when Saito scored in the 79th minute and Tomisawa added another in the 83rd minute.

But that loss did not hurt Hiroshima's title hopes too much as both league leaders Vegalta Sendai and second-placed Shimizu S-Pulse came from behind to draw 1-1.

Gamba Osaka looked on their way to an upset win over Sendai when Shu Kurata curled his shot in from a tight angle in the 62nd minute.

But a 78th-minute header from Shingo Akamine ensured the J.League leaders went home from Osaka with a point.

Shimizu waited even later to equalise against Cerezo Osaka.

Yoichiro Kakitani gave Cerezo the lead after 15 minutes and Shimizu had to wait until the sixth minute of second-half injury-time for Alex Brosque to score the important equaliser.

Sendai remain on top of the J.League with 24 points, Shimizu are two points behind in second spot, while Hiroshima are third with 19 points.

Jubilo Iwata moved into fourth with 18 points after a 3-0 victory over Kashima Antlers, pushing Urawa Reds down to fifth after their 1-1 draw with Albirex Niigata.

In other J.League results on Saturday, reigning champions Kashiwa Reysol defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-0, FC Tokyo triumphed 1-0 over Consadole Sapporo, Nagoya Grampus overcame Vissel Kobe 1-0 and Sagan Tosu drew 1-1 with Omiya Ardija.