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| Urawa loss helps Gamba close gap |
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| Urawa Reds' fans (AFP) |
TOKYO: Asian club champions Urawa Reds saw their J-League lead reduced to only goal difference as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat to Oita Trinita on Saturday.
Urawa were 1-0 down only 10 minutes into the match when Shunsuke Maeda nodded home on a pass from Shingo Suzuki, and Brazilian striker Uesley added second in the 80th minute.
Urawa now have nine wins, two draws and five defeats for 29 points and a goal difference of 27-15 against 22-18 by Nagoya Grampus, who whitewashed Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 thanks to a goal by Norwegian Frode Johnsen.
Defending champions and AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Kashima Antlers, who play FC Tokyo on Sunday, and another ACL side Gamba Osaka trail them on 28 points, followed by Kashiwa on 26.
The Brazilian duo of Lucas and Bare led Osaka to a 2-1 victory over Kawasaki Frontale with early goals in the 10th and 19th minutes, while struggling former champions Jubilo Iwata outplayed Omiya Ardija 2-1.
In other matches, Vissel Kobe defeated Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 with Keisuke Kurihara hitting the decider in the 87th minute, and Kyoto Sanga downed Tokyo Verdy 1-0 thanks to former Japan international Atsushi Yanagisawa's goal in the 30th minute.
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