Leaders Yokohama F Marinos ended their two-game losing run but a late win for second-place Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday ensured the J-League first-division title race will go down to the final day of the season.
Marinos, starting the day on 62 points and two ahead of Kawasaki, cruised past Urawa Reds 4-1 at home thanks to a brace each from Brazilian forwards Elber and Anderson Lopes. It meant Kawasaki had to win their home match against Vissel Kobe to keep their hopes alive.
Kawasaki's winner did arrive with just six minutes left on the clock after Yu Kobayashi was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box following a VAR check. Veteran Akihiro Ienaga shot to his right from the spot and scored to make it 2-1, although Kobe keeper Yuya Tsuboi got his hand to it.
"I didn't want to take it, but I'm relieved it went in," said the former Mallorca attacker as Kawasaki look to snatch their third straight league title.
"We have no option but to win the final match. The results made things simple, and we'll be giving our best, believing we can win the league."
While Marinos were made to wait for their first title in three years, they can clinch it next Saturday if they win at Kobe. A far superior goal difference also means even a draw would be enough should Kawasaki fail to win at FC Tokyo.
Marinos had lost their last two games, both at their Nissan Stadium, to relegation-threatened Gamba Osaka and Jubilo Iwata, but they enjoyed more sights on goal on Saturday against the Asian Champions League finalists Urawa, who are playing dead-rubbers in J1.
The 17th-minute opener arrived after a fast Marinos attack saw Kota Mizunuma cut in from the right. His shot was deflected to the far post, where Elber was left with an easy tap-in.
The forward played a huge role for their second 20 minutes later after picking up a loose ball down the left and easily finding his way into the box past two defenders. His low shot was parried by keeper Shusaku Nishikawa but Lopes was on hand to score another simple finish.
Elber got on the scoresheet again in the 57th minute, toe-poking home after the home side robbed possession deep in the Urawa half, and Lopes headed in their fourth in the 65th minute following a flicked corner.
Kasper Junker got one back for Urawa two minutes later, but the result was all but sealed as Marinos waited for the outcome at their neighbors Kawasaki's Todoroki Stadium.
Kawasaki had capitalized on Kobe's defensive mix-up as Marcinho put them in front in the 20th minute, but former Heerenveen man Yuki Kobayashi buried a superb free kick from 30 meters out for the visitors six minutes after the break.
Kawasaki right-back Miki Yamane, hoping to make the World Cup squad for Japan, clipped the post just before the hour mark and the title seemed to be heading Marinos' way before a close penalty call came to the rescue.
Elsewhere, Iwata were relegated after losing 2-0 away to fellow strugglers Gamba, who moved up to 15th on 36 points.
Kyoto Sanga, who drew 0-0 at home against Cerezo Osaka, are a point below and in a playoff spot in 16th.
Shimizu S-Pulse lost 1-0 at home to Kashima Antlers and sit 17th on 33 points, facing an automatic relegation.
Shuto Machino hit a brace as Shonan Bellmare eased past Sagan Tosu 3-0 at home to move up to 38 points. Avispa Fukuoka are on 37 points after holding off Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 at home.
Nagoya Grampus won 2-1 at home against FC Tokyo, while Consadole Sapporo downed third-place Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 away.
