Japan Soccer
J. League Results
Urawa Reds title charge took a step back with a 1-0 loss away to Nagoya Grampus Eight at Toyota Stadium in front of 32,109 fans. More bad news for the Saitama giants is that the German media is reporting that manager Guido Buchwald may be on his way back to a coaching job in Germany at the end of the season in order to spend more time with his family.
Nearest challengers Gamba Osaka and Kawasaki Frontale both won to narrow the gap at the top.
At the bottom Kyoto Purple Sanga lost away to 4th from bottom Sanfrecce and a quick return to J2 looks increasingly likely for the yo-yo club from the ancient capital. Fellow strugglers Avispa lost 2-1 at Kawasaki.
Saturday 18 November
Nagoya Gampus Eight 1 Urawa Reds 0
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1 Kyoto Purple Sanga 0
Kawasaki Frontale 2 Avispa Frontale 1
Kashima Antlers 3 Omiya Ardija 0
Shimizu S-Pulse 3 Yokohama F Marinos 2
Venforet Kofu 2 Oita Trinita 0
Jubilo Iwate 4 FC Tokyo 1
Leading Positions
Reds P31 Pts 65
Gamba P31 Pts 62
Frontale P31 Pts 61
S-Pulse P31 Pts 54
Jubilo P31 Pts 52
Antlers P31 Pts 52
J2
Vissel Kobe P44 Pts 84
Yokohama FC P44 Pts 83
Reysol P44 Pts 82
Vegalta Sendai P44 Pts 70
Sagan P43 Pts 70
Soccerphile.com