18.10.2014 14:39 h

Gamba close gap in Japan as Reds stumble

Leaders Urawa Reds saw their hopes of a second J-League title suffer a dent as they slipped up 4-2 at modest Vegalta Sendai on Saturday.

Gamba Osaka moved to within four points of Japan's best-supported club with a 1-0 home victory over Kawasaki Frontale to blow the title race wide open with six games of the season left.

The Reds were never at the races in Sendai, a Shinzo Kuroki double not enough after early goals from Brazilian striker Wilson and midfielder Takuya Nozawa

Gamba, champions in 2005, took full advantage and bagged the points thanks to a smart header from defender Koki Yonekura in the 57th minute, giving the Osaka side a seventh successive win -- their best run in 10 years.

"We won't be able to catch Urawa unless we keep on winning games," captain Yasuhito Endo told reporters. "It's all about winning matches from here on. Results are all that matter."

Once-mighty Kashima Antlers blew the chance to make ground on the top two after they were stunned 3-2 at home by 10-man Kashiwa Reysol having twice squandered the lead.

Substitute Tetsuto Ota snatched a dramatic last-minute winner for visiting Reysol to cap a dismal afternoon for the seven-times champions, who lost top scorer Davi to a serious knee injury that looks to have ended his season.

Urawa top the first division with 56 points from 28 games, with Gamba improving to 52 while Kashima slipped to fourth on 49 points, one behind this season's surprise package Sagan Tosu, 1-0 winners at home to Cerezo Osaka.

In other matches, champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima overpowered Nagoya Grampus 4-0 while Vortis Tokushima battled to a 2-2 home draw with Vissel Kobe with their swift return to Japan's second division only a matter of time.

Vortis, named after the famous whirlpools off Tokushima island in western Japan, have just 13 points from 28 matches -- 13 adrift of Cerezo above them with a goal difference of minus-50.

Yokohama F-Marinos beat Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 a day after their former midfielder Daisuke Oku was killed in a car crash in Okinawa.

"He was a great inspiration to me, how he enjoyed his football" said former club and Japan team-mate Yuji Nakazawa. "The news has come so quickly I still can't believe it."