HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) Defending champion Sanfrecce Hiroshima moved into first place in the J-League by beating Shimizu S-Pulse 3-1 on Saturday.
Gakuto Notsuda broke a 1-1 draw with his third goal of the season in the 79th minute and then gave Hiroshima a two-goal advantage nine minutes later to seal the win.
Hiroshima leads Yokohama F. Marinos on goal difference with six matches remaining. Yokohama was held to 0-0 against Ventforet Kofu.
Urawa Reds are in third place, two points behind, after a 4-0 thrashing of Omiya Ardija. Yuki Abe scored in the first half and Genki Haraguchi, Shinzo Koroki and Kunimitsu Sekiguchi added second-half goals.
Elsewhere, Kashima Antlers stayed in title contention, three points off the pace, after a 4-1 defeat of FC Tokyo while Albirex Niigata defeated Sagan Tosu 3-1.
