Urawa closes gap on leaders Yokohama in J-League

SENDAI, Japan (AP) Shinzo Koroki scored a pair of goals on Sunday as Urawa Reds moved to within one point of J-League leaders Yokohama F Marinos after a 3-3 draw with Vegalta Sendai.

With three matches left, Urawa improved to 58 points, one behind Yokohama, which lost 2-1 to Nagoya Grampus. Defending champion Sanfrecce Hiroshima is in third place on 57 points after drawing 1-1 with Kashiwa Reysol.

Urawa would have moved into first place if not for an injury-time goal by Sendai's Naoki Ishikawa.

Elsewhere, Yuya Osako scored a 92nd-minute winner as fourth-place Kashima Antlers improved to 56 points with a 2-1 victory over Shonan Bellmare.

Jubilo Iwata became the second former J-League champion to be relegated to the second division after a 1-0 defeat away to Sagan Tosu. Last season, former Asian club champions and 2005 J-League champions Gamba Osaka were relegated.

Elsewhere, Cerezo Osaka (53 points) barely kept its championship hopes alive with a 2-1 win over FC Tokyo, and Ventforet Kofu all but ensured its place in the top flight with a 2-1 victory over Omiya Ardija to move nine clear of the drop zone.

Albirex Niigata won 3-1 at relegated Oita Trinita, while Yoshito Okubo scored twice to lead Kawasaki Frontale to a 2-0 win over Shimizu S-Pulse.