Kawasaki Frontale were left stunned on Saturday after referee Masayoshi Okada called off their top-of-the-table-clash at leaders Kashima Antlers, with Frontale 3-1 in front with 15 minutes left.
Kawasaki looked set to breathe life into the title race and slash Antlers' lead to four points after Chong Tese's first-half double put Frontale in control, and Juninho grabbed the third in the 66th minute in torrential rain at Kashima Stadium.
But with monsoon-like conditions gradually turning the pitch into a swamp in the second half, Okada halted play and ordered both teams off the pitch before eventually deeming the surface was unplayable.