Football: Shonan's Machino nets penalty to deny Nagoya top spot

Japan forward Shuto Machino equalized from the penalty spot as visiting Shonan Bellmare held Nagoya Grampus to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, denying them the chance to move to the top of the J-League first division.

Nagoya led 2-0 before the visitors drew level at Toyota Stadium when a lengthy review by the video assistant referee resulted in a contentious penalty decision. The result left the home side in second place on 18 points, a point behind leaders Vissel Kobe.

Nagoya forward Kensuke Nagai was denied from point-blank range in the 27th minute while Shonan had a goal ruled out for offside before Ryoya Morishita gave the home side the lead four minutes from the break.

Kasper Junker went to ground as his header off Nagai's cross was saved, but the Danish forward regained his footing to pass the rebound to Morishita, with the midfielder blasting into the net.

Grampus looked in total control of the match as they doubled their advantage following a corner five minutes into the second half, with captain Sho Inagaki heading a deep cross back across goal for Shinnosuke Nakatani to nod home.

Shonan halved the deficit six minutes later, however, after Naoki Yamada skipped past a marker inside the box and steered home. Nagoya also had a goal ruled out for offside, while Machino headed into the post before the visitors were awarded a penalty likely to stoke further debate about VAR decision-making.

Bellmare attacker Hiroyuki Abe's apparent handball was missed by the referee, who waved play on after Nakatani's subsequent challenge on Yamada inside the box. Nagoya immediately went the length of the pitch to score through Mateus, but play was called back for a drawn-out VAR check that resulted in a penalty against Nakatani, converted by Machino 10 minutes from time.

"The match commissioner said ahead of the game he was hopeful of seeing refereeing decisions that both sets of fans can accept," said Grampus manager Kenta Hasegawa. "From what I could see from the footage, it was obviously not a penalty."

Elsewhere, Urawa Reds drew 1-1 away to Kawasaki Frontale and missed the chance to go level on points with Kobe with a win. They are on 17 points alongside Yokohama F Marinos and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who both played on Saturday.

Avispa Fukuoka salvaged a 2-2 draw at Consadole Sapporo, Cerezo Osaka edged Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 at home and Sagan Tosu beat 10-man Kyoto Sanga 3-2 away from home.

Kashima Antlers ended their four-game losing run with a 2-0 win at promoted Albirex Niigata, while Gamba Osaka drew 1-1 at home against another promoted side, Yokohama FC, who are the only team yet to win this season.

© Kyodo News